Suratul Jinn: Verse 6-10 – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Suratul Jinn is the 72nd chapter (surah) of the Holy Quran, a Makkan surah of 28 verses that tells how a group of Jinn heard the Quran and believed.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. say what Suratul Jinn is and where it comes in the Holy Quran;
2. describe who the Jinn are;
3. recite and give the meaning of verses 6 to 10 of Suratul Jinn;
4. state how the Jinn reacted when they heard the Quran;
5. list the lessons we can learn from verses 6 to 10.

Who are the Jinn?

The Jinn are unseen creatures made by Allah from fire, who can think and choose between right and wrong.

• Origin: Allah created them from smokeless fire.
• Free will: they can choose to obey or disobey Allah.
• Unseen: humans cannot normally see them.
• Their world: they live in a world different from ours.
• Belief: some Jinn are believers and some are not, just like humans.

How are Jinn different from humans and angels?

Humans were created from clay, angels from light and Jinn from fire. Angels always obey Allah, while humans and Jinn can choose.

What is the story behind Suratul Jinn?

The surah tells how a group of Jinn listened to the Prophet (peace be upon him) reciting the Quran.

• They listened carefully and were amazed by its words.
• They understood the message and believed in Allah.
• They then spoke about what they knew, and Allah recorded their words in the surah.

What does the first verse of Suratul Jinn say?

The first verse says that a group of Jinn listened to the Quran and called it amazing.

Arabic: قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا

Translation: “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, “Indeed, we have heard an amazing Quran”‘”

• They listened: some Jinn paid attention to the recitation.
• They were amazed: they found the Quran wonderful and special.
• They understood: they grasped its message.

What are verses 6 to 10 of Suratul Jinn?

Verses 6 to 10 continue the words of the believing Jinn, who speak about people, the sky and the unseen.

Verse 6: seeking help from Jinn

Arabic: وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا

Translation: “And that there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they increased them in burden.”

• Some people asked the Jinn for protection instead of asking Allah.
• This did not help them. It added to their fear and trouble.
• Only Allah can protect us.

Verse 7: wrong thinking about Allah’s messengers

Arabic: وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا

Translation: “And they had thought, as you thought, that Allah would never send anyone [as a messenger].”

• Some Jinn once believed, like some people, that Allah would not send any messenger.
• The coming of the Prophet and the Quran showed this belief was wrong.

Verse 8: the sky is guarded

Arabic: وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا

Translation: “And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames.”

• The Jinn tried to reach the heaven.
• They found it protected by strong guards and burning flames.

Verse 9: no more listening in

Arabic: وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ ۖ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا

Translation: “And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find for himself a burning flame lying in ambush.”

• The Jinn used to sit in places to listen.
• Now anyone who tries to listen finds a burning flame waiting for them.
• Allah protects His message and the unseen from being tampered with.

Verse 10: only Allah knows the unseen

Arabic: وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا

Translation: “And we do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course.”

• The Jinn admit they do not know what Allah plans for people.
• Only Allah knows the unseen and what will happen.

What is the summary of verses 6 to 10?

How did the Jinn react to the Quran?

The Jinn reacted by believing in the Quran and in Allah.

• They praised it: they called the Quran amazing.
• They accepted guidance: they said it guides to the right path.
• They believed in Allah: they wanted to follow the right path.
• They admitted what they did not know: they said only Allah knows what is intended for people.

What are the lessons from verses 6 to 10?

The main lesson is that we should depend on Allah alone and accept the truth.

• Depend on Allah: ask Allah for protection, not Jinn or any other being.
• Correct wrong ideas: the Jinn changed their old thinking after hearing the Quran.
• Allah protects His message: nobody can interfere with the revelation.
• Be humble: only Allah knows the unseen, so we must admit what we do not know.
• Listen carefully: careful listening helps us to understand and accept the truth.
• Be ready to change: anyone, even a Jinn, can learn and turn to the right path.

Evaluation

1. Which chapter of the Holy Quran is Suratul Jinn?
2. What are the Jinn made of?
3. What did the group of Jinn say when they heard the Quran?
4. According to verse 6, what did some people do that added to their trouble?
5. In verse 10, what did the Jinn say they did not know?

Assignment

Write out verse 10 of Suratul Jinn with its meaning, and list three lessons from verses 6 to 10.