12 illustration(s) from this book
The following traditions from the Prophet are the most to the purpose
that I have seen.--The Jinn are of various shapes; having the forms of
serpents, scorpions, lions, wolves, jackals, &c.[71]--The Jinn are of
three kinds; one on the land; one in the sea; and one in the air.[72]
The Jinn consist of forty troops; each troop consisting of six hundred
thousand.[73]--The Jinn are of three kinds; one have wings, and fly;
another are snakes, and dogs; and the third move about from place to
place like men.[74]--Domestic snakes are asserted to be Jinn on the same
authority.[75]
The Prophet ordered his followers to kill serpents and scorpions if they
intruded at prayers; but on other occasions, he seems to have required
first to admonish them to depart, and then, if they remained, to kill
them. The Doctors, however, differ in opinion whether _all_ kinds of
snakes or serpents should be admonished first; or whether _any_ should;
for the Prophet, say they, took a covenant of the Jinn [probably after
the above-mentioned command], that they should not enter the houses of
the faithful: therefore, it is argued, if they enter, they break their
covenant, and it becomes lawful to kill them without previous
admonishment. Yet it is related that 'Áisheh, the Prophet's wife, having
killed a serpent in her chamber, was alarmed by a dream, and, fearing
that it might have been a Muslim Jinnee, as it did not enter her chamber
when she was undressed, gave in alms, as an expiation, twelve thousand
dirhems (about £300), the price of the blood of a Muslim.[76]