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wa-ʾidh ṣarafnā ʾilayka nafaran mina l-jinni yastamiʿūna l-qurʾāna fa-lammā ḥaḍarūhu qālū ʾanṣitū fa-lammā quḍiya wallaw ʾilā qawmihim mundhirīna
When We dispatched toward you a team of jinn listening to the Quran, when they were in its presence, they said, ‘Be silent!’ When it was finished, they went back to their people as warners.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Ahqaf - Verse 29
29. And when We sent toward you a group of the jinn, listening to the Qur’an. When they stood in the presence thereof, they said: “Listen in silence!” And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners.
Familiarity with the Qur’an broadens man’s horizon. According to the Qur’an, man is not the only perceiving and willful being, but other beings called jinn enjoy the same conditions but excel man in power. The Verse may allude to polytheists and those in error who regard themselves as masterminds. It denotes that you listened to so many Verses but failed to believe; however, the jinn listened to a few Verses and believed in the Islamic faith and promulgated its teachings.
The Noble Prophet (S) is thus addressed herein:
“Remember when We sent toward you a group of the jinn, listening to the Qur’an.”
It is said that some of the jinn were Divinely inspired to leave their dwellings and lands and make their presence there to listen to the Qur’an. It is also said that when devils noticed that the way to the sky is blocked for them and whenever they wish to ascend the sky they were warded off by meteors. They said that a great event has occurred on the earth as a consequence of which the path to the sky has been blocked for them. They embarked upon a thorough search. Traversing on the earth they came upon idols and met with the Messenger of God (S) in Wadi Nakhla. Listening to the Qur’an they learned that the same impeded them from ascending the sky.
Narrating on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, a number of exegets regard nafaran as denoting a number of the jinn ranging between seven, nine, and ten. Upon hearing the Holy Qur’an they asked each other to stand silent and listen to the Verses being recited. Upon returning to their folk they warned them. It is reported that following listening to the Qur’an, the jinn believed in the Islamic faith and inquired about a number of issues and the Prophet (S) appointed a number of the jinn to promulgate the Islamic teachings among their folk.