Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar

(Paperback)

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According to Islamic tradition, Allah created three types of beings: angels, made of light; humans, made of earth; and jinn, made of smokeless fire. Supernatural, shape-shifting, intelligent and blessed with free will and remarkable powers, jinn have over the ages been given many names - demon, spirit, ghoul, genie, ifrit and shaitan. Believed in by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and from all faiths, jinn have played a particularly central role in the literature, culture and belief systems of the Middle East and the Islamic world. Legends of the Fire Spirits explores through time and across nations the enduring phenomenon of the jinn. From North Africa to Central Asia, from the Mediterranean to sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, this riveting, often chilling, yet reasoned book draws on ancient testimonies, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist's reports and traveller's tales to explore the different types of jinn, their behaviour, society, culture and long history of contact with humankind. It documents their links with famous figures in history such as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and illustrates the varied and vivid portrayals of jinn in world literature. In essence, Legends of the Fire Spirits demonstrates the colourful diversity of human culture and the durability of faith and is a magnificent and indispensable portrayal of the rich folklore of the Islamic world.

Reviews

Robert Leblings exhaustive and very readable account of jinn lore and legends traces the fascinating history of these strange beings mortals interested in knowing more about these magical creatures must content themselves with Leblings absorbing study. -- Gary Lachman * Times Literary Supplement *
The boundaries of Leblings work surpassed my wildest dreams. Lebling has left no stone unturned in his enquiry, roaming through traditional Eastern literature as well as the modern media. The result is a trulyextraordinary masterwork, a treasury within itself that can be consulted at random, dipped into as a bedside book, or read from cover to cover in a fabulous feast for the imagination and the enquiring mind. -- Tahir Shah
A comprehensive reference ... easily the most authoritative and accessible recent work on the topic . The book may strike a note with a younger audience fascinated by the occult, but many students of the Middle East, Islam and ancient history should find it a valuable addition to their libraries as well. -- Stephen L. Brundage * Aramco World *
A long overdue compendium of the knowledge and history of the jinn ... a lifelong reference to the mysteries of the Middle East and their influence on both Western and Eastern cultures. * Arabnews.com *
A superb study... . A glorious feast of anthropological forteana... . Even those familiar with Islamic literature will delight in Leblings pursuit of the sons of smokeless fire". * Fortean Times *

Author Bio

Robert W. Lebling has lived and worked as a journalist in Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States and is the author, with Donna Pepperdine, of Natural Remedies of Arabia. Married with two daughters, he is currently a writer and communications specialist based in Saudi Arabia.