Knowledge Forum • Belief in Djinn in Pre-Islamic Arabia

Belief in Djinn in Pre-Islamic Arabia

In pre-Islamic Arabia, people believed in nature spirits and demons that lived alongside humans. They were considered responsible for natural phenomena and diseases, as well as for protecting people who prayed to them; for instance, they were believed capable of guarding a caravan.[3] Djinns prefer to inhabit deserts, forests, scrublands, ruins, burial sites, and snake pits. They also favor dark or damp places—such as underground cavities or hammams—especially at night. During the day, they generally move through the air above the human realm. They have families (folklore abounds with stories of humans married to Djinns—Rafik Schami even dedicated a tale to such a union), religious affiliations, and various likes and dislikes.