A genie (also jinni, djinni) is an supernatural being in Arabian and Islamic folklore. Genies are often depicted as humanoid beings with magical powers and abilities. They are also said to be able to grant wishes to humans.
The word “genie” comes from the Arabic root j-n-n (pronounced “jin”), which means “to hide” or “to conceal”. This is fitting, as genies are often said to be invisible to human eyes.
Genies are believed to inhabit a parallel world known as the jinniyah. This world is said to be made up of smokeless fire, and it exists beyond the visible universe. Genies are thought to be capable of crossing into our world, but they generally prefer not to do so.
When genies do interact with humans, it is usually because they have been summoned by a sorcerer or magician. Once summoned, a genie may be forced to grant wishes or perform other tasks for its summoner. However, genies are also known for their trickery and deceit, so those who deal with them must be careful not to fall victim to their tricks.
Despite their sometimes negative portrayal in stories, many Muslims believe that genies can be both good and evil. It is said that Allah created both angels and demons from smokeless fire, and that the jinn were created from this same fire before humans were created from clay. Therefore, like humans, each individual genie has the potential to choose between good and evil deeds.