The Unseen World: Angels, Jinn, and Iblis — Reality Behind the Veil of the Senses
Dear respected reader,
Have you ever stood on the beach at night, gazing at the star-filled sky, and wondered: Is this all there is? Is all of reality merely what our eyes can capture, our hands can touch, and our ears can hear?
The Qur’an opens itself with a firm and stunning answer. Not with a discussion about prayer procedures, nor with inheritance laws, but with a statement that directly pierces to the core of faith:
الم ٠ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدًى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٠ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ٠
“Alif Lam Mim. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah—those who believe in the unseen…” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 1-3)
Notice the sequence. Before prayer, before charity, before any righteous deed—the Qur’an mentions faith in the unseen as the first characteristic of the pious. This is not a coincidence. This is the foundation. Without conviction in realities beyond the reach of the senses, the entire edifice of faith has no footing.
This article will invite you to dive into the unseen world systematically and deeply—not with imagination or speculation, but with clear textual evidence from the Qur’an and authentic hadith. We will discuss the essence of angels, jinn, Iblis, the devil’s deception, and how to protect oneself from it.
Let us begin.
1. Introduction — Faith in the Unseen World: The First Characteristic of the Pious
Faith in the unseen world is not merely one of the six pillars of faith that we have memorized since childhood. It is a fundamental differentiator between a believer and one who denies. Why? Because faith in the unseen demands something that faith in the manifest does not: the submission of reason to news that comes from Allah and His Messenger.
When we see a mountain, we do not need to “have faith” that the mountain exists—our eyes have already proven it. But when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informs us that there are angels recording every word we utter, that is where the test of faith begins. We do not see them. We cannot measure them with scientific instruments. But we are certain they exist, because Allah and His Messenger have told us so.
Allah ﷻ emphasizes that the unseen world belongs entirely to Allah:
قُل لَّا يَعۡلَمُ مَن فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ
“Say, ‘None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah.’” (QS. An-Naml [27]: 65)
And Allah emphasizes that the keys to the unseen are in His hands alone:
وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ لَا يَعۡلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ
“And with Him are the keys of the unseen; no one knows them except Him…” (QS. Al-An’am [6]: 59)
Then how can we know the unseen world? The answer is: through the news (khabar) conveyed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He is the only legitimate channel of information between the manifest world and the unseen world. He received revelation from Allah, and he conveyed to us what we cannot reach with our senses.
This principle is very important in Islamic aqidah: reason can understand that the unseen world may exist, but reason cannot know the details of what is in the unseen world. For that, we need revelation.
Table 1: The Unseen World That is Obligatory to Believe In
| No | Unseen World | Source of Evidence | Status of Faith |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allah ﷻ | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 255 | 1st Pillar of Faith |
| 2 | Angels | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 285 | 2nd Pillar of Faith |
| 3 | The Books of Allah | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 285 | 3rd Pillar of Faith |
| 4 | The Messengers of Allah | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 285 | 4th Pillar of Faith |
| 5 | The Last Day | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 285 | 5th Pillar of Faith |
| 6 | Destiny (Good & Evil) | QS. Al-Qamar [54]: 49 | 6th Pillar of Faith |
| 7 | Jinn | QS. Al-Jinn [72]: 1-2 | Obligatory to believe |
| 8 | Iblis & Satan | QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 11-18 | Obligatory to believe |
| 9 | Paradise & Hell | QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 133 | Obligatory to believe |
| 10 | Lauhul Mahfuzh | QS. Al-Buruj [85]: 21-22 | Obligatory to believe |
Al-Baqarah verse 285 summarizes the pillars of faith explicitly:
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ…
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers…” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 285)
Faith in the unseen world, therefore, is not optional. It is a valid condition of faith itself.
2. The Limitation of the Senses — Why We Cannot Rely Only on What is Visible
Before entering the discussion about angels, jinn, and Iblis, we need to first understand why Allah commands us to believe in something we cannot see. The answer lies in the limitation of human senses—a fact that we can prove even without the help of modern science.
Our Senses Have Clear Limits
The human eye can only see light with wavelengths between 380 and 750 nanometers. Beyond that range? There is ultraviolet light, X-rays, radio waves—all around us, but our eyes do not capture them at all.
The human ear can only hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Dogs can hear up to 65,000 Hz. Bats use ultrasonic waves far beyond the reach of our ears. Just because we do not hear them, do we say those sounds do not exist?
Our skin can only feel temperature within a very narrow range. Water at 50°C feels hot, but for some bacteria, that temperature is their normal environment.
وَلَا تُحِيطُونَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمًا
”…And their knowledge does not encompass His knowledge.” (QS. Thaha [20]: 110)
This verse is not only about Allah—it also implies that the scope of human knowledge is limited. We cannot claim that something does not exist simply because our senses are unable to detect it.
إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولًا
“Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—about all those [one] will be questioned.” (QS. Al-Isra’ [17]: 36)
Notice the sequence: hearing, sight, then heart (mind). This shows that the mind has a role that surpasses what the two previous senses can capture.
Analogy 1: The Phone Screen and Hidden Reality
Imagine you are holding a phone. The screen displays images, videos, text—all clearly visible. But behind that screen, there are thousands of electromagnetic signals going back and forth: WiFi data, cellular signals, Bluetooth, GPS. All of them exist, working every second, but your eyes do not see them. You only see the result: incoming messages, maps opening, videos playing.
Now, if a telecommunications expert says to you, “Around that phone there is a 4G signal with a frequency of 1800 MHz,” would you reject it because your eyes do not see it? Of course not. You believe the expert because he has access to knowledge that you do not possess.
Faith in the unseen world works in the same way. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the “expert” given access by Allah to knowledge about the unseen world. He tells us what our senses cannot reach—and we believe because we trust him.
This limitation of the senses is not a weakness that can be “overcome” by technology. Technology only extends the reach of the senses—a microscope extends the eye, a microphone extends the ear—but still cannot reach the unseen world. No telescope can see angels. No sensor can detect jinn. The unseen world exists in a completely different dimension.
Table 2: Limitation of Senses vs. Existing Reality
| Sense | Ability Limit | Reality Not Detected | Proof of Existence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Light 380-750 nm | X-rays, UV, radio waves | X-ray photos, radio, WiFi |
| Ears | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | Bat ultrasound, earthquake infrasound | Sonar detectors, seismographs |
| Skin | Temperature ±0-50°C | Nuclear radiation, magnetic fields | Geiger counter, compass |
| Nose | Certain thousands of molecules | CO gas (odorless but deadly) | Gas detectors |
The conclusion is simple: if the senses alone cannot reach all of reality in this physical world, let alone reality outside the dimension of the world. Then a healthy mind will accept that the unseen world exists—and waits for information from a trustworthy source, namely revelation.
3. Angels — Essence, Attributes, and Angels That Must Be Known
A. The Essence of Angels: Created from Light
Angels are unseen creatures that Allah created from light (nur). They have a real form, although they cannot be seen by ordinary human eyes. They are not abstract concepts, not metaphors for goodness, nor personifications of natural forces—as claimed by some Orientalists who try to “rationalize” angels into mere symbols. Angels are real creatures that have form, attributes, and tasks.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
خُلِقَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰئِكَةُ مِنۡ نُورٌ، وَخُلِقَتِ ٱلۡجَآنُّ مِن مَّارِجٌ مِّن نَّارٌ، وَخُلِقَ ءَادَمُ مِمَّا وُصِفَ لَكُمۡ
“Angels were created from light, jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what was described to you.” (HR. Muslim no. 2996)
This hadith clearly separates the origin of creation of three types of intelligent creatures: angels from light, jinn from fire, and humans from earth.
Angels have attributes that are very different from humans and jinn:
- They do not have desires—they do not eat, do not drink, do not marry, and do not sleep.
- They never disobey—they always obey Allah without any rebellion.
- They have wings—Allah describes angels as having wings, two, three, or four.
- They can change form—by Allah’s permission, angels can appear in human form.
Allah ﷻ says about the obedience of angels:
بَلۡ عِبَادً مُّكۡرَمُونَ ٠ لَا يَسۡبِقُونَهُۥ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُم بِأَمۡرِهِۦ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٠ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يَشۡفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَتِهِۦ مُشۡفِقُونَ
“No! They are [but] honored servants. They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command. He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.” (QS. Al-Anbiya’ [21]: 26-28)
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ
“They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” (QS. An-Nahl [16]: 50)
Allah also describes the form of angels with wings:
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلۡمَلَـٰئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِی أَجۡنِحَةٍ مَّثۡنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَۚ يَزِيدُ فِی ٱلۡخَلۡقِ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٌ قَدِيرً
“All praise is due to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.” (QS. Fatir [35]: 1)
B. Angels That Must Be Known
As a Muslim, we are obliged to believe in all of Allah’s angels. However, there are several angels whose names are mentioned explicitly in the Qur’an and hadith, along with their tasks:
Table 3: Angels That Must Be Known
| Angel Name | Task | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Jibril (جبريل) | Conveying revelation to the Prophets and Messengers | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 97; QS. Asy-Syu’ara’ [26]: 193-194 |
| Mikail (ميكايل) | Regulating sustenance, rain, and vegetation | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 98 |
| Israfil (إسرافيل) | Blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment | HR. Abu Dawud no. 4739; Tirmidzi no. 2431 |
| Izrail (عزرائيل — Malakul Maut) | Taking the souls of all creatures | QS. As-Sajdah [32]: 11 |
| Munkar (منكر) & Nakir (نكير) | Questioning humans in the grave | HR. Abu Dawud no. 4753; Tirmidzi no. 1070 |
| Raqib (رقيب) | Recording good deeds (on the right side) | QS. Qaf [50]: 17-18 |
| Atid (عتيد) | Recording bad deeds (on the left side) | QS. Qaf [50]: 17-18 |
| Malik (مالك) | Guardian of Hell | QS. Az-Zukhruf [43]: 77 |
| Ridwan (رضوان) | Guardian of Paradise | Mentioned in authentic hadith |
| Hamalatul ‘Arsy | Bearing the Throne of Allah | QS. Al-Mu’min [40]: 7; QS. Al-Haqqah [69]: 17 |
Jibril — Ruhul Amin, the Leader of the Angels
Jibril is the most noble angel. He is mentioned in the Qur’an with several titles: Ruhul Amin (the Trustworthy Spirit), Ruhul Qudus (the Holy Spirit), and Rasul Karim (the Noble Messenger). He is the one who conveyed the Qur’an to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for 23 years.
قُلۡ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبۡرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُۥ نَزَّلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِكَ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٠ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلَّهِ وَمَلَـٰئِكَتِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَجِبۡرِيلَ وَمِيكَىٰلَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَدُوًّ لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
“Say, ‘Whoever is an enemy to Jibril—it is he who has brought it [the Qur’an] down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah, confirming what was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers.’ Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Jibril and Mikail—then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 97-98)
Guardian Angels of Man (Al-Mu’aqqibat)
Besides the angels recorded above, every human is guarded by angels whose task is to protect him from danger until the appointed time of death arrives.
لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَـٰتً مِّنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ يَحۡفَظُونَهُۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ
“For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah.” (QS. Ar-Ra’d [13]: 11)
وَهُوَ ٱلۡقَاهِرُ فَوۡقَ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيُرۡسِلُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ حَفَظَةً
“And He is the subjugator over His servants. And He sends over you guardian-angels…” (QS. Al-An’am [6]: 18)
C. Angels Have Appeared in Human Form
One of the proofs that angels have a real form—not merely a concept—is that they can appear in human form by Allah’s permission.
When angels came to Ibrahim AS in the form of handsome guests:
هَلۡ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ ٱلۡمُكۡرَمِينَ ٠ إِذۡ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَـٰمًاۚ قَالَ سَلَـٰمً قَوۡمً مُّنكَرُونَ ٠ فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰ أَهۡلِهِۦ فَجَآءَ بِعِجۡلٍ سَمِينٌ
“Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Ibrahim? When they entered upon him and said, ‘Peace.’ [Ibrahim] said, ‘Peace, [you are] a people unknown.’ Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf.” (QS. Adz-Dzariyat [51]: 24-27)
The angel Jibril also once came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the form of a man wearing very white clothes, with very black hair, which later became known as Hadith Jibril—a hadith that became the foundation of the explanation of Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
بَيۡنَمَا نَحۡنُ عِندَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ ﷺ ذَاتَ يَوۡمٍ إِذۡ طَلَعَ عَلَيۡنَا رَجُلٌ شَدِيدُ بَيَاضِ ٱلثِّيَابِ، شَدِيدُ سَوَادِ ٱلشَّعَرِ، لَا يُرَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ أَثَرُ ٱلسَّفَرِ، وَلَا يَعۡرِفُهُ مِنَّا أَحَدٌ…
“While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ one day, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes, with extremely black hair. There were no signs of travel on him, and none of us recognized him…” (HR. Muslim no. 8)
This hadith shows that angels can take human form, but they remain creatures of a different essence.
4. The Function of Believing in Angels — More Than Just Theoretical Belief
Belief in angels is not merely about “believing that they exist.” This belief has profound practical consequences on the daily life of a Muslim. Let us look at three main impacts.
A. Feeling Always Watched (Al-Muraqabah)
The conviction that there are two angels—Raqib and Atid—recording every utterance and deed we do, creates an internal surveillance system far more effective than CCTV, sensors, or any human law.
Allah ﷻ says:
إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدً مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدً
“When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is with him an observer prepared [to record].” (QS. Qaf [50]: 17-18)
وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ ٠ كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ ٠ يَعۡلَمُونَ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
“And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers, noble and recording; they know whatever you do.” (QS. Al-Infitar [82]: 10-12)
A person who truly believes in this will not dare to lie even though no one is listening. He will not be corrupt even though there is no anti-corruption commission watching. He will not act unjustly even though there is no CCTV camera. Because he knows: there are Raqib and Atid who never sleep, never forget, and never record incorrectly.
B. Eliminating Arrogance
When we contemplate that there are creatures—angels—that Allah created always obedient, never tired, never complaining, never lazy in worship, then human arrogance is automatically eroded. We realize that we are not the most perfect creatures. We can fall lower than animals if we do not use our minds to believe.
أُو۟لَـٰئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُو۟لَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَـٰفِلُونَ
“Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 179)
The angels even once questioned Allah about the creation of man:
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰئِكَةِ إِنِّی جَاعِلً فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةًاۖ قَالُوا۟ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّی أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 30)
The angels’ words are not a form of boldness toward Allah—they could not possibly do that. This is a question that arises from their nature of always being obedient, and Allah answered it with extraordinary wisdom: that man has a potential not possessed by angels, namely the ability to choose to obey despite having desires.
C. Certainty of Allah’s Help Through Angels
Angels are the army of Allah. They descend to help believers in various situations. In the Battle of Badr, Allah sent down three thousand—then five thousand—angels to help the Muslims whose numbers were far fewer.
وَلَقَدۡ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدۡرٌ وَأَنتُمۡ أَذِلَّةًۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٠ إِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكۡفِيَكُمْ أَن يُمِدَّكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَـٰثَةِ ءَالَـٰفٌ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰئِكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ ٠ بَلَىٰۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ وَيَأۡتُوكُم مِّن فَوۡرِكِمۡ هَـٰذَا يُمۡدِدۡكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِخَمۡسَةِ ءَالَـٰفٌ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰئِكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ
“And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. So fear Allah; perhaps you will be grateful. [Remember] when you said to the believers, ‘Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down? Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction].” (QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 123-125)
وَمَآ جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشۡرَىٰ وَلِتَطۡمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِۦۚ وَمَا ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ
“And Allah made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby. And victory is not but from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 126)
This conviction provides extraordinary tranquility. When we face difficulties—whether in da’wah, work, or personal life—we know that we are not alone. There is the army of Allah ready to help those who are patient and pious.
Table 4: Practical Impacts of Faith in Angels
| Impact | Explanation | Supporting Verse/Hadith |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Muraqabah (Feeling watched) | Raqib & Atid record every word and deed | QS. Qaf [50]: 17-18 |
| Tawadhu (Humility) | Angels always obey without desires—man can be lower if he sins | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 30 |
| Tranquility (Tawakkal) | Angels are the army of Allah that helps believers | QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 123-126 |
| Courage (Syaja’ah) | Angels record intentions—sincere intentions give courage | QS. Al-Buruj [85]: 10 |
| Consistency (Istiqamah) | Angels never stop obeying—becoming motivation | QS. An-Nahl [16]: 50 |
5. Jinn — Parallel Creatures Created from Fire
A. The Essence of Jinn
After discussing angels created from light and always obedient, now we turn to unseen creatures with different characteristics: jinn. Jinn are creatures that Allah created from a smokeless flame of fire (marij min nar). Unlike angels, jinn possess reason and desires—so they can choose between belief or disbelief, obedience or rebellion.
وَٱلۡجَآنَّ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن قَبۡلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ
“And We did certainly create the jinn before from a smokeless flame of fire.” (QS. Al-Hijr [15]: 27)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ explained:
خُلِقَتِ ٱلۡجَآنُّ مِن مَّارِجٌ مِّن نَّارٌ
“The jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire.” (HR. Muslim no. 2996)
The word marij (مارج) means a blazing, surging, unstable fire—depicting the character of the jinn’s origin of creation which is different from the tranquility of the light of angels.
B. Jinn and Man: Two Burdens Alike
Allah created jinn and humans with an identical purpose:
وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (QS. Adz-Dzariyat [51]: 56)
These two creatures are equally burdened with sharia (mukallaf), equally tested, and equally will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. In fact, the Qur’an often mentions the two together:
يَا مَعۡشَرَ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ أَلَمۡ يَأۡتِكُمۡ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمۡ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَـٰتِی وَيُنذِرُونَكُمۡ لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِكُمْ هَـٰذَا
“O company of jinn and mankind, did there not come to you messengers from among you, relating to you My verses and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” (QS. Al-An’am [6]: 130)
This verse is very important: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent not only for humans, but also for jinn. When the jinn heard the Qur’an, they believed and followed his teachings.
C. Surah Al-Jinn — The Story of Jinn Who Heard the Qur’an
Allah revealed a full surah—Surah Al-Jinn—which narrates a real event when a group of jinn heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ reciting the Qur’an and immediately believed.
قُلۡ أُوحِیَ إِلَیَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسۡتَمَعَ نَفَرً مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ فَقَالُوا۟ إِنَّا سَمِعۡنَا قُرۡءَانًا عَجَبًا ٠ يَهۡدِی إِلَى ٱلرُّشۡدِ فَـَٔامَنَّا بِهِۦۖ وَلَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِرَبِّنَآ أَحَدًا
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened and said, “Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’an. It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone.”’” (QS. Al-Jinn [72]: 1-2)
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعۡنَا ٱلۡهُدَىٰ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦۖ فَمَن يُؤۡمِنۢ بِرَبِّهِۦ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخۡسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
“And when we heard guidance, we believed in it. And whoever believes in his Lord will not fear deprivation or burden.” (QS. Al-Jinn [72]: 13)
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلۡمُسۡلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا ٱلۡقَـٰسِطُونَۖ فَمَنۡ أَسۡلَمَ فَأُو۟لَـٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوۡا۟ رَشَدًا
“And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allah], and among us are the unjust. And whoever has become Muslim—those have sought out the right course.” (QS. Al-Jinn [72]: 14)
This last verse is very clear: among the jinn there are Muslims and there are those who deviate—exactly like humans.
D. Muslim Jinn and Disbelieving Jinn — A Real Classification
Table 5: Comparison of Muslim Jinn and Disbelieving Jinn
| Aspect | Muslim Jinn | Disbelieving Jinn |
|---|---|---|
| Attitude toward the Qur’an | Listen, believe, follow | Reject, oppose, mislead |
| Obedience | Worship Allah, do righteous deeds | Disobey, help magic, disturb humans |
| Place of residence | Clean places, mosques | Dirty places, graves, toilets |
| Hereafter | Receive the reward of Paradise (if steadfast) | Enter Hellfire Jahannam |
| Evidence | QS. Al-Jinn [72]: 1-2, 13-14 | QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 179; QS. Hud [11]: 119 |
وَلَقَدۡ ذَرَأۡنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسِۖ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبً لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنً لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ ءَاذَانً لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَآۚ أُو۟لَـٰئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُو۟لَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَـٰفِلُونَ
“And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 179)
This verse is very important: Allah mentions that most jinn and humans will become the fuel of Hellfire Jahannam. Not because Allah is unjust, but because they do not use the minds, eyes, and ears that Allah gave them to seek the truth.
E. Specific Abilities of Jinn
Jinn have abilities not possessed by humans:
- Moving very fast—jinn can cover long distances in a short time.
- Seeing humans from directions that humans cannot see—QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 27.
- Can change form—some jinn can appear in the form of animals or humans.
However, jinn do not know the unseen. This is a common mistake that needs to be corrected. Jinn do not know the future, do not know the contents of the heart, and cannot see the world of angels.
When Sulaiman AS passed away, the jinn working for him did not know that he had died until termites ate his staff:
فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَوۡتِهِۦ إِلَّا دَآبَّةُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَأۡكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُۥۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ ٱلۡجِنُّ أَن لَّوۡ كَانُوا۟ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُوا۟ فِی ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ
“And when We decreed for him death, nothing indicated to them his death except a creature of the earth eating at his staff. So when he fell down, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.” (QS. Saba’ [34]: 14)
This is definitive proof that jinn do not know the unseen world—the claims of shamans and psychics who say they can “communicate with unseen creatures to know the future” are a great lie.
6. Iblis and Satan — Arrogance That Became the Root of Disbelief
Dear reader, this is where our discussion enters a territory that is very practical and relevant to daily life. Because Iblis and satan are not merely “mythical figures”—they are real enemies who are actively trying to mislead you and me right now.
A. The Origin of Iblis: A Disobedient Jinn
Who is Iblis actually? The Qur’an clearly states that Iblis comes from jinn, not from angels. This is important to correct because many laypeople think Iblis is a fallen angel (like the concept of “fallen angel” in Jewish-Christian tradition). Iblis is not an angel—angels cannot disobey. Iblis is a jinn, and jinn have desires and choices.
وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَـٰئِكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوا۟ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they prostrated, except Iblis; he refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 34)
إِلَّا ٱلۡجِنَّ بَدَّلَ ٱللَّهُ فِیهِمۡ وَقَالَ لَآ أَكۡثُرُهُمْ إِلَّا فَـٰسِقُونَ
”…Except Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord…” (QS. Al-Kahf [18]: 50)
خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ مِن نَّارٌ
”…You created him from fire…” — (referring to the origin of jinn, QS. Al-Hijr [15]: 27)
B. The Arrogance of Iblis — Inverted Logic
What made Iblis refuse to prostrate? Arrogance. He felt more noble than Adam because his origin of creation was different.
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسۡجُدَ إِذۡ أَمَرۡتُكَۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرً مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِی مِن نَّارٌ وَخَلَقۡتَهُۥ مِن طِينٌ
“[Allah] said, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ [Iblis] said, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.’” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 12)
Iblis’s logic is totally inverted. He measures nobility based on the material origin of creation, not based on piety and obedience. Yet, the standard of nobility in the sight of Allah is already clear:
إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡ
“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (QS. Al-Hujurat [49]: 13)
Iblis uses “logic” that to this day is still used by many people: measuring the value of man based on race, tribe, wealth, position, or lineage. Yet Allah’s standard is only one: righteousness (taqwa).
C. Iblis is Cursed Until the Day of Judgment
After his arrogance was revealed, Allah expelled Iblis and cursed him until the Day of Judgment:
قَالَ ٱهۡبِطۡ مِنۡهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَٱخۡرُجۡ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ
“[Allah] said, ‘Descend from it, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased.’” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 13)
قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِی لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَأُغۡوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجۡمَعِينَ ٠ إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ
“[Iblis] said, ‘Because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all, except, among them, Your chosen servants.’” (QS. Al-Hijr [15]: 39-40)
Notice the exception that Iblis himself admits: the sincere servants of Allah—those who are sincere, sincere in obedience—cannot be misled by Iblis. This is not because Iblis “does not want to,” but because Allah Himself protects them.
D. Satan’s Strategy to Mislead Man
Satan does not work randomly. He has a systematic and planned strategy. Iblis himself narrates his strategy before Allah:
قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِی لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَٰطَكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ ٠ ثُمَّ لَأاتِيَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَيۡنِ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِمۡ وَعَنْ أَيۡمَـٰنِهِمۡ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِهِمۡۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكۡثَرَهُمْ شَـٰكِرِينَ
“[Iblis] said, ‘Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit [in wait] for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].’” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 16-17)
Notice his attacks from four directions:
- From the front—making man doubt the future, pessimistic, afraid of failure so he abandons good deeds.
- From behind—making man indulged in the past, nostalgic for sins, or even proud of good deeds so he becomes self-righteous.
- From the right—deceiving man in religious matters: bid’ah decorated as if it were sunnah, extremism, or even the liberalization of religion.
- From the left—deceiving man in worldly matters: wealth, women, position, momentary pleasures.
Table 6: Four Directions of Satan’s Attack
| Direction | Form of Attack | Example in Life |
|---|---|---|
| From the front | Frightening about the future, pessimism | ”Don’t do da’wah, later your career will be ruined” |
| From behind | Dragging down with memories of the past | ”You have already committed too many sins, repentance is useless” |
| From the right | Misleading in religious matters | Bid’ah decorated beautifully, extremism, doubts (syubhat) |
| From the left | Deceiving with worldly pleasures | Fornication, usury, corruption, arrogance |
E. Four Main Weapons of Satan
Satan uses four main methods to mislead humans. Understanding these four is the first step to defending oneself.
1. Waswas (وسواس) — Whispers of Doubt
Satan whispers doubts into the human heart: doubts about Allah, about religion, about the truth.
مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ ٠ مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ ٠ ٱلَّذِی يُوَسۡوِسُ فِی صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ
“From among the jinn and mankind. From the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind.” (QS. An-Nas [114]: 4-6)
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنۡ هَمَزَٰتِ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ
“And say, ‘My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils.’” (QS. Al-Mu’minun [23]: 97)
2. Tazyin (تزيين) — Beautifying the Bad
Satan makes sins look beautiful, attractive, and normal. Fornication is made into “free love.” Usury is made into “investment.” Corruption is made into “service fees.” All are wrapped in beautiful language.
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ فَصَدَّهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمۡ لَا يَهۡتَدُونَ
“But Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing, so he averted them from the [right] way, and they were not [rightly] guided.” (QS. An-Naml [27]: 24)
أَلَمۡ أَعۡهَدۡ إِلَيۡكُمْ يَـٰبَنِی ءَادَمَ أَن لَّا تَعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوًّ مُّبِينً
“Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan—[for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (QS. Yasin [36]: 60)
3. Taswif (تسويف) — Procrastinating Repentance
Satan does not always command man to commit major sins. Sometimes, it is enough to make them postpone: “Repent later. Still young. Enjoy the world first. Repent when old.”
يَـٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُلۡهِكُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُمْ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ ٠ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِیَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوۡلَآ أَخَّرۡتَنِی إِلَىٰ أَجَلٌ قَرِيبٌ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ٠ وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهَاۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ
“O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that—then those are the losers. And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’ But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come…” (QS. Al-Munafiqun [63]: 9-11)
4. Ghurur (غرور) — The Deception of Worldly Luxury
Satan makes man indulged with the world, so he forgets that this life is temporary and there is an Hereafter waiting.
يَـٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡغَرُورُ
“O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.” (QS. Fatir [35]: 5)
وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ
“And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 185)
Analogy 2: Satan is Like a Cyber Criminal (Hacker)
Imagine Satan like a hacker attacking the security system of a bank. This hacker does not directly break into the main vault. He uses several step-by-step strategies:
- Waswas is like phishing email—sending messages of doubt: “Will Allah really forgive you? Your sins are too great.” Goal: to make the victim click the link and open the door themselves.
- Tazyin is like social engineering—disguising as a trustworthy person, making the haram look halal: “It’s okay, everyone does it.” Goal: to make the victim consider normal what is actually dangerous.
- Taswif is like a delay attack—delaying execution: “Repent later, there’s still time.” Goal: the victim continues to feel safe while the window of opportunity keeps closing.
- Ghurur is like a smoke screen—diverting attention with the glitter of the world so the victim forgets that the vault (the Hereafter) is currently unguarded.
Just as a bank needs a firewall, antivirus, and layered security procedures—a Muslim needs layered protection: ta’awudh, the Qur’an, dhikr, prayer, and mujtahadah. We will discuss this in the next section.
Table 7: Summary of Satan’s Deceptions
| Method | Meaning | Mechanism | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waswas (وسواس) | Whisper of doubt | Planting doubt about Allah, religion, truth | Doubting whether prayer is truly obligatory |
| Tazyin (تزيين) | Beautifying the bad | Making sins look beautiful & normal | ”Free sex is a human right” |
| Taswif (تسويف) | Procrastinating | ”Repent later” | Postponing prayer until old age |
| Ghurur (غرور) | Deception of the world | Distracting with momentary pleasures | Busy seeking wealth, forgetting the Hereafter |
7. How to Protect Oneself from Satan — Layered Protection
Dear reader, after understanding how systematic Satan’s strategy is, the next logical question is: how do we protect ourselves?
Allah does not leave His servants without fortifications. There is layered protection that we can build—and all are based on clear textual evidence.
A. Ta’awudh — The First Shield
The first and most fundamental step is to recite ta’awudh: seeking refuge with Allah from the accursed devil. Allah commands this explicitly:
فَإِذَا قَرَأۡتَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ ٠ إِنَّهُۥ لَيۡسَ لَهُۥ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
“So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy]. Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.” (QS. An-Nahl [16]: 98-99)
Verse 99 is very important: Satan has no authority over those who believe and rely upon their Lord. This does not mean Satan will not try—he will still whisper, beautify, postpone, and deceive. But he has no authority to force you to sin. You are the one who chooses.
وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ نَزۡغً فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
“And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 200)
B. Al-Baqarah — Expelling Satan from the Home
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave a special prescription for protecting the home from Satan: reciting Surah Al-Baqarah.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَا تَجۡعَلُوا۟ بُيُوتَكُمۡ مَّقَابِرَ، إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَانَ يَنفِرُ مِنَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ ٱلَّذِی تُقۡرَأُ فِيهِ سُورَةُ ٱلۡبَقَرَةِ
“Do not make your houses into graves. Indeed, Satan flees from the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.” (HR. Muslim no. 780)
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ سَنَامًا، وَإِنَّ سَنَامَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ سُورَةُ ٱلۡبَقَرَةِ، وَمَن قَرَأَهَا فِی بَيۡتِهِۦ لَيۡلَةً لَمۡ يَدۡخُلۡهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَانُ ثَلَـٰثَ لَيَالٍ
“Indeed, everything has a summit, and the summit of the Qur’an is Surah Al-Baqarah. Whoever recites it in his house at night, Satan will not enter that house for three nights.” (HR. Tirmidzi no. 2877; graded sahih by Al-Albani)
Why Al-Baqarah? Because this surah contains Ayat al-Kursi (the greatest verse in the Qur’an), contains the last two verses given to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ from beneath the Throne, and overall this surah discusses three main pillars: tawhid, sharia laws, and the stories of the trials of previous nations—three things that Satan fears most.
C. Morning and Evening Dhikr — Daily Fortress
Allah commands dhikr at morning and evening times as a routine fortress:
يَـٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذۡكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ذِكۡرًا كَثِيرًا ٠ وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكۡرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon.” (QS. Al-Ahzab [33]: 41-42)
وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ فِی نَفۡسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةًا وَدُونَ ٱلۡجَهۡرِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡءَاصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡغَـٰفِلِينَ
“And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech—in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.” (QS. Al-A’raf [7]: 205)
Several specific dhikr taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِی لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ ٱسۡمِهِۦ شَىۡءً فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِی ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
“In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing can harm on earth or in the heavens. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (HR. Abu Dawud no. 5088; Tirmidzi no. 3388; Ibnu Majah no. 3869)
D. Prayer — Direct Connection with Allah
Prayer is the weapon of the believer. In prayer, we stand directly before Allah—and there is no stronger fortress than a direct connection with the Creator.
وَٱسۡتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَـٰشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 45)
إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِ
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” (QS. Al-Ankabut [29]: 45)
Prayer performed with khushu’ automatically becomes a shield from Satan’s temptations. Because in prayer, we are in the “safest zone”—facing Allah directly.
E. Al-Mu’awwidzatain — Surahs of Protection
The last two surahs in the Qur’an—An-Nas and Al-Falaq—were specifically revealed as protection from the evil of Satan and other dangerous creatures.
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ ٠ مَلِكِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٠ إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٠ مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ ٠ ٱلَّذِی يُوَسۡوِسُ فِی صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ ٠ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ
“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the Sovereign of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer, who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind, from among the jinn and mankind.’” (QS. An-Nas [114]: 1-6)
قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ ٠ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ٠ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ٠ وَمِن شَرِّ ٱلنَّفَّـٰثَـٰتِ فِی ٱلۡعُقَدِ ٠ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ
“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of that which He created, and from the evil of darkness when it settles, and from the evil of the blowers in knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies.’” (QS. Al-Falaq [113]: 1-5)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to read these two surahs before sleeping and blow them onto his palms, then rub them over his entire body.
Table 8: Layered Protection from Satan
| Layer | Practice | Time | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ta’awudh | أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ | Before reading Qur’an, when angry, when waswas | QS. An-Nahl [16]: 98 |
| 2. Al-Baqarah | Reading Surah Al-Baqarah in full | At home, at least every 3 days | HR. Muslim no. 780 |
| 3. Morning & evening dhikr | أذكار الصباح والمساء | Every morning (after Fajr) and evening (after Asr) | QS. Al-Ahzab [33]: 41-42 |
| 4. Prayer | 5 daily prayers in congregation | Exactly on time | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 45 |
| 5. Al-Mu’awwidzatain | An-Nas + Al-Falaq | Before sleep, after prayer | QS. An-Nas & Al-Falaq |
| 6. Wudu | Renewing wudu | When feeling waswas or angry | Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ |
8. Other Unseen Worlds — Paradise, Hell, Throne, Footstool, and Lauhul Mahfuzh
Besides angels, jinn, and devils, there are several other unseen entities that we must believe in—and understanding some of their attributes has an extraordinary impact on the quality of our faith.
A. Paradise and Hell — Already Existing Now
Paradise and Hell are not things that “will be created” in the future. Both already exist at this moment, and both have already been prepared for their respective inhabitants.
وَسَارِعُوا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغۡفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرۡضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ
“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden [i.e., Paradise] as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 133)
أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
“…prepared for the disbelievers.” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 24 — about Hell)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
أُعِدَّتِ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ، وَأُعِدَّتِ ٱلنَّارُ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
“Paradise has been prepared for the pious, and Hell has been prepared for the disbelievers.” (HR. Bukhari no. 3242; Muslim no. 2844)
Allah ﷻ describes Paradise with stunning details—rivers flowing beneath it, fruits that never run out, pure wives, and pleasures never seen by the eye, never heard by the ear, and never imagined by the human heart.
فَلَا تَعۡلَمُ نَفۡسً مَّآ أُخۡفِیَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعۡيُنٌ جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعۡمَلُونَ
“No soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.” (QS. As-Sajdah [32]: 17)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in a qudsi hadith:
أَعۡدَدۡتُ لِعِبَادِی ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ مَا لَا عَيۡنً رَأَتۡ، وَلَا أُذُنً سَمِعَتۡ، وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَىٰ قَلۡبِ بَشَرٌ
“I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what has never occurred to the heart of man.” (HR. Bukhari no. 3246; Muslim no. 2824)
And Hell—a place that Allah has prepared as punishment for those who disbelieve and do wrong. Allah commands us to seek refuge from it:
يَوۡمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ ٱمۡتَلَأۡتِ وَتَقُولُ هَلۡ مِن مَّزِيدٌ
“On the Day when We will say to Hell, ‘Have you been filled?’ and it will say, ‘Are there some more?’” (QS. Qaf [50]: 30)
Faith in Paradise and Hell that already exist now provides extraordinary motivation to do good and fear of sinning. Not an abstract concept about “future rewards”—but a reality that is already ready waiting for its inhabitants.
B. The Throne and the Footstool — The Incomparable Grandeur of Allah
The Throne (Arsy) is the Throne of Allah ﷻ—the greatest and most magnificent creature that Allah created. The Throne is not a “place” where Allah resides (Allah exists without place), but a creature that shows His grandeur.
رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ
”…Lord of the magnificent Throne.” (QS. At-Taubah [9]: 129)
وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ
“And He is the Lord of the magnificent Throne.” (QS. At-Taubah [9]: 129)
The Footstool (Kursi) is also a very magnificent creature. Ibn Abbas RA interpreted: The Footstool is the place of Allah’s feet, while the Throne no one can measure its greatness except Allah.
Ayat al-Kursi—the greatest verse in the Qur’an—depicts:
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَیُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُۥ سِنَةً وَلَا نَوْمًۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِی يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُۥ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَیۡءٍ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِیُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
“Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 255)
The Footstool alone already encompasses the entire heavens and the earth—imagine how great the Throne is, which is the Throne of Allah.
C. Lauhul Mahfuzh — The Preserved Tablet
Lauhul Mahfuzh is the Tablet (writing) that Allah preserves, in which the entire destiny of creatures—from before the heavens and the earth were created—has been written.
أَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِی ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ فِی كِتَـٰبٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرً
“Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and earth? Indeed, that is in a Book. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy.” (QS. Al-Hajj [22]: 70)
بَلۡ هُوَ قُرۡءَانً مَّجِيدً ٠ فِی لَوۡحٌ مَّحۡفُوظِۭ
“But it is a glorious Qur’an, [inscribed] in a Preserved Tablet.” (QS. Al-Buruj [85]: 21-22)
وَمَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِی أَنفُسِكُمۡ إِلَّا فِی كِتَـٰبٌ مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن نَّبۡرَأَهَآۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرً
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being. Indeed that, for Allah, is easy.” (QS. Al-Hadid [57]: 22)
Faith in Lauhul Mahfuzh provides deep tranquility. When disaster strikes, we know that it has already been written—not meaning we are passive and do not make efforts, but we accept with an open heart what has become destiny, while still striving and praying.
Table 9: Other Unseen Worlds That Are Obligatory to Believe In
| Unseen World | Explanation | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise | Already exists, as wide as the heavens and earth, pleasures beyond imagination | QS. Ali ‘Imran [3]: 133; HR. Bukhari no. 3246 |
| Hell | Already exists, its fuel is humans and stones, full of torment | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 24; QS. At-Tahrim [66]: 6 |
| Throne (Arsy) | The Throne of Allah, the greatest creature, above all creatures | QS. At-Taubah [9]: 129; QS. Hud [11]: 7 |
| Footstool (Kursi) | Encompasses the heavens and earth, smaller than the Throne | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 255 |
| Lauhul Mahfuzh | Preserved Tablet containing all destiny before creation | QS. Al-Buruj [85]: 21-22; QS. Al-Hadid [57]: 22 |
| Throne Angels | Angels who bear the Throne, their number is 8 on the Day of Judgment | QS. Al-Mu’min [40]: 7; QS. Al-Haqqah [69]: 17 |
| Jannah & Naar | Other names for Paradise and Hell, often mentioned together in the Qur’an | QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 221 |
9. The Wisdom of Believing in the Unseen World — Not Just Theory, But Heart Transformation
Dear reader, all discussions about angels, jinn, Iblis, Paradise, Hell, Throne, and Lauhul Mahfuzh are not to satisfy intellectual curiosity alone. Every unseen entity that we believe in has practical wisdom that changes the way we live our lives.
A. Total Submission to Allah
Faith in the unseen world is the most fundamental test of faith. We do not see angels, but we are certain they are recording. We do not see Paradise and Hell, but we are certain both already exist. We do not see the Throne, but we are certain Allah has a magnificent Throne.
This submission—believing the news of Allah and His Messenger even though the senses cannot reach—is the definition of islam itself: total surrender of oneself.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَهُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّاعَةِ مُشۡفِقُونَ
“Those who fear their Lord unseen, while they are of the Hour apprehensive.” (QS. Al-Anbiya’ [21]: 49)
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
”…Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 3)
B. Guarding Oneself from Sin
A person who truly believes that Raqib and Atid record every word, every glance, every step—will not dare to sin lightly. This is not fear of “CCTV”—this is fear of Allah who is All-Knowing.
أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ
“Does he not know that Allah sees [all]?” (QS. Al-Alaq [96]: 14)
Faith in recording angels creates an internal surveillance system that cannot be bought, cannot be hacked, and cannot be manipulated by anyone. This is character born from aqidah—not from positive law or fear of getting caught.
C. Tranquility of Heart
In the midst of a world full of uncertainty—economic crises, political conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics—faith in the unseen world provides tranquility that cannot be given by any material asset.
We are certain that:
- There are angels guarding us by Allah’s command (QS. Ar-Ra’d [13]: 11).
- There is Allah who always hears our prayers—closer than our own jugular vein (QS. Qaf [50]: 16).
- There is justice in the Hereafter for every person wronged in the world—not a single atom of injustice will go unavenged (QS. An-Nisa’ [4]: 40).
- There is Paradise waiting for the believer—with pleasures beyond imagination (QS. As-Sajdah [32]: 17).
- There is Lauhul Mahfuzh that has written our destiny—so we do not need to be overly anxious about the future (QS. Al-Hadid [57]: 22).
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطۡمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَا بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَئِنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (QS. Ar-Ra’d [13]: 28)
D. Courage in Da’wah
When we are certain that there is the army of Allah (angels) ready to help, we will not be afraid to face pressure or intimidation in upholding the truth. Islamic da’wah—especially da’wah to re-establish the Khilafah—will certainly face resistance. But we know: Allah’s help does not depend on numbers and material strength, but on piety and the help of angels.
يَـٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِیُّ حَسۡبُكَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
“O Prophet, sufficient for you is Allah and for whoever follows you of the believers.” (QS. Al-Anfal [8]: 64)
Table 10: Practical Wisdom of Faith in the Unseen World
| Wisdom | Explanation | Impact in Life |
|---|---|---|
| Submission | Submitting to the news of Allah & His Messenger without sensory proof | Not arrogant, always feeling in need of Allah |
| Al-Muraqabah | Certain of being watched by Raqib, Atid, and Allah | Guarding oneself from sin even when alone |
| Tranquility | Certain there is justice in the Hereafter, there is Paradise, there is protected destiny | Not overly anxious, patient in facing disasters |
| Courage | Certain there is help from angels | Not afraid in upholding truth and da’wah |
| Zuhud | Certain the world is temporary and the Hereafter is eternal | Not indulged with the glitter of the world |
| Gratitude | Certain every blessing from Allah is guarded by angels | More grateful, not complaining |
10. Conclusion — The Unseen World: The Foundation That Changes Everything
Dear respected reader, our journey exploring the unseen world has reached its end. Let us summarize what we have learned:
First, faith in the unseen world is the first characteristic of the pious—not the second, third, or tenth. Al-Baqarah verses 2-3 place it in the front row: before prayer, before charity, before any righteous deed. Because without conviction in realities beyond the reach of the senses, the entire edifice of faith has no foundation.
Second, the limitation of human senses is not an argument to deny the unseen world—on the contrary. The fact that our senses cannot capture all of reality in this physical world (radio waves, bacteria, magnetic fields) should make us humble and open to a broader reality: that there is another dimension that can only be known through revelation.
Third, angels are real creatures created from light, always obedient, and have specific tasks—from conveying revelation (Jibril), regulating sustenance (Mikail), recording deeds (Raqib & Atid), to guarding humans (Al-Mu’aqqibat). Believing in them gives birth to a sense of being watched, eliminates arrogance, and provides the conviction that Allah’s help is real through His army.
Fourth, jinn are parallel creatures with humans—created from fire, possessing reason and desires, can believe or disbelieve, and will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Surah Al-Jinn proves that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent for jinn as well as humans.
Fifth, Iblis—a jinn who disobeyed because of his arrogance—became a real enemy of man who works with four strategies: waswas (whispers of doubt), tazyin (beautifying the bad), taswif (procrastinating repentance), and ghurur (deception of the world). Allah Himself tells us about this strategy so that we are not deceived.
Sixth, protection from Satan is layered: ta’awudh as the first shield, Al-Baqarah as the expeller of Satan from the home, morning and evening dhikr as the daily fortress, prayer as a direct connection with Allah, and Al-Mu’awwidzatain as special protection from Satan’s whispers.
Seventh, other unseen worlds—Paradise, Hell, Throne, Footstool, Lauhul Mahfuzh—are not abstract concepts. They are realities that already exist, are already prepared, and are already waiting for their inhabitants. Believing in them provides tranquility, courage, and zuhud toward the world.
Eighth, the wisdom of believing in the unseen world does not stop at theory. It changes the way we think, behave, and feel. It creates submission, guards from sin, calms the heart, and gives courage in da’wah.
Faith in the unseen world—with all the entities within it—is a fundamental pillar in Islamic aqidah. Not superstition, not myth, not fairy tales. It is a conviction that stands on clear textual evidence from the Qur’an and authentic hadith, which is confirmed by sound reason that the senses indeed have limits.
A person who believes in the unseen world correctly will live a more guarded, more tranquil, and more submissive life to Allah. And one who denies—or even mocks it—has closed the door of guidance for himself.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوۡا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمۡ قَالُوا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ
“And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We have believed.’ But when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.’” (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 14)
Let us not be among the people Allah describes in this verse—pretending to believe in front of righteous people, but returning to our “devils” when alone. Faith in the unseen world must become a living conviction, felt in the heart, seen in deeds, and heard on the tongue.
After we believe in the unseen world, the next logical question is: how does Allah regulate the entire universe? Does everything happen by chance, or is there a destiny that Allah has determined in Lauhul Mahfuzh? And where is the position of man’s free will in the scheme of destiny?
Learn more at Qadha and Qadar: Man’s Position Between Destiny and Free Will.
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