Ifrit

Ifrit
An Ifrit named Arghan Div brings the chest of armor to Hamza
Grouping Jinn
Region Middle East

Ifrit, efreet, efrite, ifreet, afreet, afrite and afrit (Arabic: ʻIfrīt: عفريت, pl ʻAfārīt: عفاريت) are supernatural creatures in some Middle Eastern stories. In Islam, this term refers to the most powerful and dangerous Jinns.

Description

The Ifrits are a class of infernal spirits, classified as a djinn and also held to be a deathspirit drawn to the life-force (or blood) of a murdered victim seeking revenge on the murderer. As with ordinary djinn, an Ifrit may be either a believer or an unbeliever, good or evil,[1] but it is most often depicted as a wicked, ruthless and evil being; a powerful Shaitan (demon).[2] Ifrits are believed to inhabit the layers of the underworld[3] or desolated places on the surface, like in ruins or caves. According to Islamic sources, the ifrit has a fiery appearance leaping flames from his mouth and may endanger people, but cease to exist by reciting a Du'a (Islamic prayer) near to them.[4] In folklore, they are commonly thought to take the shape of the deceased, at the moment of its death or the appearance of Satan.

Etymology

Makhan embraced by an ifrit. Illustration to Nizami's poem Hamsa. Bukhara, 1648.

Traditionally, Arab philologists trace the derivation of the word to عفر (afara, "to rub with dust"). Some Western philologists, such as Johann Jakob Hess and Karl Vollers, attribute it to Middle Persian afritan which corresponds to Modern Persian آفريدن (to create).

Islamic scripture

An Ifrit is mentioned in the Qur'an, Sura An-Naml (27:38-40):

[Solomon] said, "O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring me her [the Queen of Sheba] throne before they come to me in submission?" An ifrit (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place. And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work." One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when Solomon saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self; and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly, my Lord is Rich (Free of all needs), Bountiful."

According to a hadith from Bukhari, an Ifrit tried to interrupt the prayers of Muhammed. Muhammed overpowered the Ifrit and wanted to fasten him to a pillar so everyone could see him in the morning. Then, he remembered the statement of Solomon and he dismissed the Ifrit.[5][6]

According to a narration about Muhammeds Night Journey, an Ifrit sought Muhammed with a fiery torch. To get rid of him, he asked Jibraʾil for help. Jibraʾil then taught him how to seek refuge from God, whereupon the Ifrit get away from him.[7]

An Ifrit, meeting Imam Ali, is mentioned in different shi'i accounts. According to the Shabak community, Imam Ali became incensed against an Ifrit for his unbelieving. Consequently, he bound the Ifrit in chains. The Ifrit appealed to all prophets since Adam for his release. But no one was able to free him, until Muhammed found him and took the Ifrit to Imam Ali. He freed him on the condition that he would profess his faith for Islam.[8]

Arabic literature

In One Thousand and One Nights, in a tale called "The Porter and the Young Girls", there is a narrative about a prince who is attacked by pirates and takes refuge with a woodcutter. The prince finds an underground chamber in the forest leading to a beautiful woman who has been kidnapped by an ifrit. The prince sleeps with the woman and both are attacked by the jealous ifrit, who changes the prince into an ape. Later a princess restores the prince and fights a pitched battle with the ifrit, who changes shape into various animals, fruit, and fire until being reduced to cinders. In the book, the word is used interchangeably with genie and the spirit is malevolent but easily tricked by the protagonist.[9]

In early folklore, the ifrit is said to be formed from the blood of a murder victim. Driving an unused nail into the blood was supposed to stop their formation. The creatures were reported as being able to take the form of Satan, the murder victim, or even a sandstorm.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ifrit | Islamic mythology". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  2. ↑ Hughes, Thomas Patrick. Dictionary of Islam.Asian Educational Services 1995. "Genii" pp. 133–136.
  3. ↑ Valery Rees From Gabriel to Lucifer: A Cultural History of Angels I.B.Tauris 2013 ISBN 978-1-848-85372-0 p. 91
  4. ↑ Hajjah Amina Adil Muhammad the Messenger of Islam: His Life & Prophecy BookBaby 2012 ISBN 978-1-618-42913-1 chapter Ezra
  5. ↑ Robert Lebling Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar I.B.Tauris 2010 ISBN 978-0-857-73063-3 p. 141
  6. ↑ "Jinn in Hadith Sahih Bukhari - Jinn & Demons - Jinn & Demons". www.jinndemons.com.
  7. ↑ Brooke Olson Vuckovic Heavenly Journeys, Earthly Concerns: The Legacy of the Mi'raj in the Formation of Islam Routledge 2004 ISBN 978-1-135-88524-3 p. 36
  8. ↑ Matti Moosa Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects Matti Moosa 1987 ISBN 978-0-815-62411-0 page 69
  9. ↑ Leon Hale (January 13, 2002). "Arabic mythology is worth revisiting". Houston Chronicle.
  10. ↑ "Aeromancy". The Element Encyclopedia of the Psychic World. Harper Element. 2006. p. 10.
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