وَٱلْجَآنَّ خَلَقْنَـٰهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ 27
Translations
And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.
Transliteration
Wal-janna khalaqnahu min qablu min nari as-samum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that Allah created the jinn before mankind, specifically from the fire of smokeless flame (samum). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that the jinn are created from a pure, scorching fire without smoke, distinguishing them from material creation. This establishes the jinn as a distinct creation with their own nature and free will, existing prior to the creation of Adam and humanity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hijr's discussion of creation and the origins of different beings. It follows the account of human creation (15:28-29) and precedes the narrative of Satan's refusal to bow to Adam (15:28-44), establishing the hierarchical order of creation while preparing for the theological significance of Iblis's disobedience.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim 2996: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The jinn were created from fire, and the angels were created from light, and Adam was created from what has been described to you.' This hadith directly complements the ayah by clarifying the material composition of different created beings.
Themes
Key Lesson
Understanding that the jinn are real beings created before humanity reminds us of the complexity of Allah's creation beyond what we perceive, and that the spiritual realm operates according to divine law just as the material world does, encouraging us to maintain awareness of our relationship with both visible and invisible creation.