Djinn and Demons part 2

There's still snow on the ground here and I'm still writing about the warm desert and the mythological species of humanoids that live there, the Djinn or Jinn (singular Jinni.) The popular terms for these humanoids is genie.

As I mentioned in the last post Djinn and Demons - Part 1 I am designing several humanoid races for my YA fantasy series similar to elves and other mythological humanoids. The Djinn folklore is intriguing to me.

I find the overlap between the role the Djinn fill in Middle Eastern mythology similar to the role filled by elves in Northern European mythology.

Pre-Islamic folklore describes Djinn as ugly, evil demons that roamed the deserts and wildernesses taking malicious delight in punishing humans that intentionally or accidentally harmed them. These punishments often take the form of diseases or accidents. [Does this role sound familiar? Many creatures of Faery do exactly the same thing.] Do you find the roles the elves and Djinn filled in their cultures similar enough to be interesting?

The Djinn are creatures born of fire and air, but are not immortal. They have the same bodily needs as humans and can be killed. They have supernatural powers. They are free from physical restraint, able to become a cloud. Another power, used more frequently than not, is invisibility. [Hmm... they don't even need a red hat of invisibility like the elves and red caps. They must be powerful!] They are able to take any shape, human or animal and dwell in inanimate objects, under the earth, in the air and in fire.

Some believed they were the children of Satan and Lilith, Adam's conjoined twin and first wife who separated from him and left because she was not treated as an equal. [Interesting myth, though not within my self mandated mythological species exploration. Was she the first feminazi? Cool!]

When free, the Djinn live in Kaf, a mythical range of emerald mountains that encircles the Earth. I say when free, because these physically variable creatures could be trapped and controlled by magic. They were at the call and service of humans. I will talk more about this in my next post.

But suffice it to say that after the coming of Islam the folklore was modified. Some Djinn were allowed to become beautiful, good-natured and female. Why do you think the coming of Islam changed the folklore to soften the power of the Djinn? According to one source, it is the official Islamic belief that the Djinn will have to face judgment to receive either damnation or salvation like humans.

There are several levels or classes of Djinn. According to several sources there are 5 kinds. But the names of the five kinds is not consistant. Here are some of them:  

1. si`la - treacherous and of variable form 
2. `IFRIT - evil spirits
3.  Ghul  - Also treacherous shape changers
4. Marid - the strongest type 
5. Shaitan 
6. Jinn, 
7. Jann - the weakest type

This website lists a few more types: Djinn Universe Website

Questions:

1. Do you find the roles the elves and Djinn filled in their cultures similar enough to be interesting?
2. Why do you think the coming of Islam changed the folklore to soften the power of the Djinn?

In my next post I'll write about the folklore surrounding Solomon's building of the temple and what that

has to do with Djinn.