وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدًا 11
Translations
And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways.
Transliteration
Wa-anna minna al-salihun wa-minna dun dhalik kunna taraiq qidada
Tafsir (Explanation)
The jinn acknowledge that among their kind are the righteous believers and among them are those below that level, meaning they vary in their righteousness and obedience to Allah. This statement reflects the jinn's recognition of the diversity within their community regarding faith and moral conduct. Ibn Kathir notes this demonstrates that jinn, like humans, possess free will and the capacity for both righteousness and deviation, and that guidance is available to all of Allah's creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the jinn's testimony in Surah Al-Jinn, where a group of jinn recite what they heard from the Quran and their recognition of its truth. The broader context (72:11-15) shows the jinn reflecting on their own condition after hearing the Quran, distinguishing between those among them who accepted the message and those who rejected it, establishing that they are not a monolithic group.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2106) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that jinn have been given free will similar to humans, capable of righteousness and sin. Additionally, a relevant theme appears in Sahih Bukhari (3461) regarding how some beings accept guidance while others reject it.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as jinn vary in their spiritual states, humanity too encompasses believers and disbelievers, the righteous and the wicked; recognizing this diversity teaches us humility and the importance of striving for righteousness, knowing that proximity to or distance from Allah's guidance is a matter of personal choice and effort.
Related Ayahs
لِّيَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ أَبْلَغُوا۟ رِسَـٰلَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ وَأَحْصَىٰ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عَدَدًۢا
That he [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] may know that they have conveyed the messages of their Lord; and He has encompassed whatever is with them and has enumerated all things in number.
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ ۖ فَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِرَبِّهِۦ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
And when we heard the guidance [i.e., the Qur’ān], we believed in it. And whoever believes in his Lord will not fear deprivation or burden.
وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ ٱلْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they [only] increased them in burden [i.e., sin].
إِلَّا بَلَـٰغًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِسَـٰلَـٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا
But [I have for you] only notification from Allāh, and His messages." And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.