Marid

A Marid is a type of powerful and rebellious Jinn mentioned in the Quran. They are described as being extremely haughty and are often associated with the shayateen (devils). In Islamic theology, Marid jinns are those who attempted to eavesdrop on the heavenly assemblies but were driven away by "shihab" (piercing flames). The term signifies a level of disobedience and strength that exceeds the common jinn, serving as a reminder of the spiritual struggles between good and evil and the ultimate power of Allah over all created beings, whether visible or invisible. The Quran mentions the marid in the context of the jinn trying to eavesdrop on the heavens: "And we have sought to reach the heaven but found it filled with strong guards and burning flames (shihab)" (72:8). The marid are among the most powerful and rebellious jinn. They are known for their arrogance and their attempts to access the heavens to learn of the unseen, but they are repelled by shooting stars (shihab). The Prophet said that the jinn try to eavesdrop, but they are shot at with stars. If they manage to hear something, they add lies to it and whisper it to fortune-tellers. The marid are often depicted in folklore as the most powerful class of jinn, capable of great feats but also prone to rebellion. In the story of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him), an ifrit (a type of powerful jinn) offered to bring the Queen of Sheba's throne before Sulayman could rise from his seat (27:39). The ifrit is often considered a marid. For believers, the existence of marid jinn is a reminder that there are forces of evil that seek to mislead humanity. However, they are also a reminder that Allah's power is absolute. The shooting stars that repel them are under Allah's command. The believer seeks protection in Allah from all evil jinn. The Prophet taught specific supplications for protection, such as reciting Ayat al-Kursi and the Mu'awwidhatayn. The marid also remind believers that no creature, no matter how powerful, can resist Allah's command. The believer trusts in Allah's protection and does not fear the jinn. They know that with faith and reliance on Allah, they are safe from the harm of all evil beings. The ultimate victory is for those who believe and do righteous deeds, and the marid, like Iblis, will be among those punished in Hell.