What is the Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation) ruling on the person who deals with the Jinn only in goodness, that is in treating some diseases and in nullifying magic, knowing that this person is known for his righteousness and piety? Is it true that some people are granted supernatural abilities? Does this include the subjugation of Jinn?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First and foremost, seeking help from the Jinn is impermissible, even in matters that may appear to be good, because of the numerous drawbacks that result from this. The Jinn belong to the unseen, hence, it is difficult for man to judge whether they are Muslims, disbelievers, pious or hypocrites. It requires full acquaintance with their morals, religion and adherence to the teachings of Islam, and one can never be sure of something like this because one does not possess the criteria for judging them.

Moreover, it has never been reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his Companions or the Taabi‘ioon (followers) ever sought help from the Jinn or ever resorted to them to fulfill their needs. With the widespread ignorance and lack of knowledge in this age, man may slip into the trap of magic under the pretence of seeking help from the Jinn to achieve something good. Not only this, but man can also be a victim to their deception and malice without knowing. This may tempt the common people to resort to magic and magicians under the same pretence.

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah was of the opinion that it is permissible to employ Jinn to achieve goodness. He commented later that if one is not fully acquainted with Sharee‘ah, he may be deceived by them and they may trick him.

As for those who claim to be able to cure the epileptic by using spells and incantations, or claim to be able to talk to the Jinn or to have servants from among them, Ibn Muflih Al-Hanbali reported on the authority of Imaam Ahmad that he did not like anyone to do this and that it was preferable to refrain from doing so.

Allaah The Almighty may grant some people who are pious and follow the Sunnah (tradition) supernatural abilities. Believing in supernatural abilities that are possessed by some of the righteous believers is one of the basic rules of the Sunnis. There are many texts from the Quran and Sunnah that support this, in addition to reported citations about the supernatural abilities that were possessed by the Companions, the Taabi‘ioon (followers) and those who succeeded them. In the Quran, for instance, there is the story of As-haab Al-Kahf (People of the cave) and the story of Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, and the provisions that were always found in her praying chamber and that were never brought by a human being.

 In the Sunnah, there is the story of the three men of the cave, who were imprisoned by the rock and who, thus, supplicated Allaah The Almighty and made Tawassul (intercession) through their good deeds. In consequence of this, the rock was lifted and they were saved. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Added to this, the story of Jurayj, the ascetic of Banu Israa’eel, who was falsely accused of committing adultery. However, the infant boy actually spoke and declared his innocence. [Al-Bukhari] In addition, there is the story of Khubayb ibn ‘Adiyy Al-Ansaari who was found to have grapes, when he was taken captive by Quraysh, knowing that there were no grapes at all in Makkah at that time. [Al-Bukhari]

It is worthy of noting that the true Muslim is not the one who is keen on attaining supernatural abilities, but rather the one who is keen on attaining righteousness. There is no direct relation between piety and supernatural abilities. In other words, the disbelievers and the impious may be granted supernatural abilities in order to lead them gradually to destruction, like for instance, the supernatural abilities that shall be granted to the Antichrist. Therefore, the supernatural ability in itself is not a proof of piety. Actually, what proves one’s piety is one’s adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.

In conclusion, anyone who claims that subjugating the Jinn to him is a supernatural ability that he has been granted, is a liar because this is not subject to man’s will. It is a matter that is decided by Allaah The Almighty that He endows upon His righteous slaves.

To judge a certain person, we have to consider his state of affairs rather than his supernatural abilities.

And Allaah Knows best.