The creatures of Almighty Allah has been divided into two major groups – seen and unseen. In the light of the Holy Quran, these two major groups can be further classified. The humans, animals, and insects are included in seen creatures while angels and jinnat are the unseen creatures of Allah. Like the creation of other creatures, Allah states in the Holy Quran about how jins has been created. It is stated in the Quran that,
And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud – Surah Hijr, verse 26-27
The Holy Quran indicates that humans and jins have given free choice to believe in Almighty Allah or disbelief. Jins are not evil by definition if there are good ones, there would be bad ones too. One of the evil spirit Islamic scholars have told us about is Al-Jathoom or Kaboos.
What Is Al-Jathoom?
A Maghrebi Arab, a lexicographer of Arabic language and author of the famous Arabic dictionary Lisan Al-Arab Ibn al-Manzoor defined al-Jathoom in these words.
Al-Jathaam or al-Jathoom is the kaboos that descends upon a person at night… the one that descends upon a person when he is sleeping is called al-jathoom. The kaboos is the one that descends upon the sleeper at night. And it was said that it is the precursor to epilepsy. One of the linguists said: I do not think that it is an Arabic word; rather it is al-naydalaan; it is also known as al-barook or al-jathoom – Lisaan al-Arab (6/190).
What Does Science Say About Al-Jathoom?
According to modern science, al-jathoom is a disease that may occur after over-eating or taking a high dose of medicine. It is also known as sleep paralysis in medical science.
Two Types Of Al-Jathoom
Doctor Hassaan Shamsi Basha has discussed jathoom briefly in his book ‘al-Nawm wa’l-Araq wa’l-Ahlaam’. He has told us about two types of al-jathoom which are,
1. Temporary Jathoom
The vapors that rise to the brain through the breathing channels when a person is falling asleep, the person feels that he cannot move or speak and a kind of panic is creating. This is the precursor of a physical epileptic seizure, and it also happens when one is exposed to psychological pressures. Other than that, medicines that can cause jathoom are Arazrabine, Beta-blockers, Lifod B, Antidepressants, after stopping the use of tranquilizers such as valium.
2. Recurrent Jathoom
This kind of jathoom indicates that a person has been harmed by evil spirits. The symptoms are when a person is asleep and feels something heavy pressing upon the chest, squeezing and constricting the breath. Because of the obstruction, a person gets almost suffocated and when Jin goes away the person wakes up in a panic gasping for air. According to Islamic scholars, the jin who attacks a person during sleep is Al-Jathoom.
How Can We Protect Ourselves From Al-Jathoom?
By following the Sunnah ways of sleeping, we can protect ourselves from being stricken by this jin. A few of the Sunnahs are,
1. Perform ablution before going to bed.
2. Recite Ayatul Kursi, Surah Naas and Surah Falaq before sleeping.
3. Always sleep on your right-hand side.
4. Pray from Almighty Allah to protect you, if it is possible for you, recite Surah Mulk.
May Allah protect us from all the evil spirits, Ameen!