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Mythology: Islamic Mythology

Spiritual Beings in Islamic Mythology

  • Angels- created from light (nur) or fire (nar): the heavenly hosts, and servants of God. Eminent among them are the four Archangels (Jibra'il, Mika'il, Azra'il and Israfil), Kiraman Katibin, who record a person's good and bad deeds, Maalik, who guards the Hellfire, Munkar and Nakir, two angels questioning the dead and Harut and Marut, two angels instructed to test mankind by teaching of knowledge of magic.
  • Jinn- created from a mixture of fire and air or smokeless fire (marigin min nar): morally ambivalent creatures, can convert to Islam and are subject to salvation or damnation. Jann is usually perceived as an ancestor of the jinn.
  • Shayatin- created from smoke or fire (Samūm): comparable to Christian demons or devils, usually regarded as the offspring of Iblis, who is the head of shayatin. They tempt humans (and jinn) into sin. In Islamic folklore, Ifrit and Marid are usually two powerful classes of shayatin.
  • Burāq- ("lightning" or more generally "bright") is a magical flying horse with a human face in Islamic tradition, and is believed to have transported certain prophets.
  • Gharrār- a demon in Islamic mythology and Islam related folklore. The Gharrār is described as a demon resembling dogs or goats, sired by Iblis and a demon from the fires of Samum. Usually female, she preys upon men to assault them and mutilate their genitalia.
  • Houris-  Spiritual/divine women who will accompany faithful Muslim believers in Paradise. Muslim scholars differ as to whether they refer to the believing women of this world or a separate creation, with the majority opting for the latter. 

Selected Works

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