Legends of the Fire Spirits : Jinn and Genies From Arabia to Zanzibar

'An energy, a pulse form of quantum physics perhaps, alive at the margins of sleep or madness, and more often in the whispering of a single unwelcome thought.'The EconomistAccording to Islamic tradition, Allah created three types of beings: angels, made of light; humans, made of earth; and jinn, made of smokeless fire. Supernatural, shape-shifting, intelligent and blessed with free will and remarkable powers, jinn have over the ages been given many names - demon, spirit, ghoul, genie, ifrit and shaitan. Neither human nor immortal, they roam the earth inhabiting dark and empty places, luring humans to their deaths or demonically possessing them if harmed or offended. Despite the fact they cannot be seen, jinn are said to be strangely human-like - marrying, bearing children, forming communities and tribes, eating, sleeping, playing and facing judgement like any other human. They are ever-present partners in the human experience, causing endless mischief, providing amazing services and sometimes inducing sheer terror.Believed in by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and from all faiths, jinn have played a particularly central role in the literature, culture and belief systems of the Middle East and the Islamic world. Legends of the Fire Spirits explores through time and across nations the enduring phenomenon of the jinn. From North Africa to Central Asia, from the Mediterranean to sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, this riveting, often chilling, yet reasoned book draws on long-forgotten ancient testimonies, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist's reports and traveller's tales to explore the different types of jinn, their behaviour, society, culture and long history of contact with humankind. It documents their links with famous figures in history such as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and illustrates the varied and vivid portrayals of jinn in world literature. In essence Legends of the Fire Spirits demonstrates the colourful diversity of human culture and the durability of faith and is a magnificent and indispensable portrayal of the rich folklore of the Islamic world. 'an Energy, A Pulse Form Of Quantum Physics Perhaps, Alive At The Margins Of Sleep Or Madness, And More Often In The Whispering Of A Single Unwelcome Thought.'-the Economist. According To Islamic Tradition, Allah Created Three Types Of Beings: Angels, Made Of Light; Humans, Made Of Clay; And Jinn, Made Of Smokeless Fire. Supernatural, Shape-shifting, Intelligent And Blessed With Free Will And Remarkable Powers, Jinn Have Over The Ages Been Given Many Names-demon, Spirit, Ghoul, Genie, Ifrit And Shaitan. Neither Human Nor Immortal, They Roam The Earth Inhabiting Dark And Empty Places, Luring Humans To Their Deaths Or Demonically Possessing Them If Harmed Or Offended. Despite The Fact They Cannot Always Be Seen, Jinn Are Said To Be Strangely Human-like-marrying, Bearing Children, Forming Communities And Tribes, Eating, Sleeping, Playing And Facing Judgment Like Any Other Human. They Are Ever-present Partners In The Human Experience, Causing Endless Mischief, Providing Amazing Services And Sometimes Inducing Sheer Terror. Believed In By Hundreds Of Millions Of People Throughout The World From All Faiths, Jinn Have Played A Particularly Central Role In The Literature, Culture And Belief Systems Of The Middle East And The Islamic World. Legends Of The Fire Spirits Explores Though Time And Across Nations The Enduring Phenomenon Of The Jinn. From North Africa To Southeast Asia, From The Mediterranean To Sub-saharan Africa And Beyond, This Riveting, Often Chilling, Yet Reasoned Book Draws On Long-forgotten Ancient Testimonies, Medieval Histories, Colonial Records, Anthropologists' Reports And Travellers' Tales To Explore The Different Types Of Jinn, Their Behaviour, Society, Culture And Long History Of Contact With Humankind. It Documents Their Links With Famous Figures In History Such As King Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba And Illustrates The Varied And Vivid Portrayals Of Jinn In World Literature. In Essence Legends Of The Fire Spirits Demonstrates The Colourful Diversity Of Human Culture And The Durability Of Faith And Is A Magnificent And Indispensable Portrayal Of The Rich Folklore Of The Islamic World. --book Jacket. Origins -- Historical Encounters -- By Their Deeds : Jinn Behaviour -- Jinn Geography -- Cultural Echoes. Robert Lebling ; Foreword By Tahir Shah. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 8 Foreword by Tahir Shah......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 16 Notes on Transliteration......Page 18 Introduction. The Nature of Jinn......Page 20 1. Origins......Page 26 Islam......Page 36 Early Legends......Page 43 Al-Andalus......Page 67 Spirits of the Middle Ages......Page 72 Jinn in the Fihrist......Page 77 Genius or Junn-Master?......Page 78 3. By Their Deeds: Jinn Behaviour......Page 83 Amid Ancient Ruins......Page 84 Human Possession and Exorcism......Page 91 Jinn Hauntings......Page 96 Jinn and Illness......Page 100 ‘The Condemned System’......Page 101 Abductions and Trials......Page 107 Shifting Shapes......Page 113 Arabia: The Heartland......Page 134 Iraq: ‘Pandemonium’......Page 146 Harran: The ‘North’......Page 150 Palestine: Underground......Page 154 Syria: The Red King’s Daughter......Page 162 Egypt: Ifrits and Ghouls......Page 167 Morocco: The ‘Masters’......Page 178 Tunisia: Air, Sea and Land......Page 193 Turkey: Out of the Forest......Page 200 Iran: ‘The Holy Jinn’......Page 204 Kurds: Children of the Jinn......Page 211 South Asia: Coat of Many Colours......Page 213 Zanzibar and Beyond: Spreading the Wealth......Page 222 Nigeria: ‘Children of Jangare’......Page 226 Malays: Jinn in the Jungle......Page 229 How I Met the Ghul......Page 235 The Arabian Nights......Page 237 Southey’s Genii......Page 246 Hugo’s ‘Jinn’......Page 251 The Mystery of Ishmonia......Page 255 Arab Folktales......Page 258 Appendix A. Edward Lane's Notes on the Jinn......Page 264 Appendix B. Muhammad Asad on the Jinn......Page 275 Appendix C. Jinn Physics......Page 278 Notes......Page 284 References......Page 308 Index......Page 316 Supernatural, shape-shifting figures have been given many names over the ages - genie, demon, spirit, ghoul, shaitan and jinn. This title explores the phenomenon of the jinn. It also explores the different types of jinn, their behavior, society, culture and long history of contact with humankind.