Issue of Jinn Entering Humans

Regarding the School of Ahl al-Bayt on the Issue of Jinn Entering Humans

The Answer:This matter is a subject of disagreement among the Muslim ummah regarding whether jinn can enter the human body, and also whether they are capable of taking forms other than their own. It has been mentioned in al-Miʿrāj by Imam ʿIzz al-Dīn ibn al-Hasan (peace be upon him) that such possession is in essence not rationally impossible, according to some opinions, but that it is prohibited according to revelation. He says:

“Some have claimed that [jinn] enter the human body, and there are recurring or near-recurring reports from those who suffer seizures (al-maṣrūʿīn) suggesting contact with jinn. And God, Exalted is He, knows best.
Others have said: there is no rational barrier preventing interaction or entry, and that the structure of reason would break down if not for the divine textual prohibition, as found in His saying: ‘And I had no authority over you’ [Qur'an].
Imam al-Mahdi Muhammad ibn al-Qasim al-Houthi al-Husayni (peace be upon him) prohibited this idea, saying: ‘As for the narration that “Satan runs through the son of Adam like the flow of blood,” some have taken it literally, due to the human being having cavities and orifices, and the jinn being a subtle body more subtle than air (since air can be felt, unlike the jinn).
However, the correct view is that this hadith uses metaphorical ellipsis. Its meaning is the whispering of Satan.
The rational evidence is the inability to perceive [the jinn] by any of the senses.
The justice-based argument is that God is too just to allow Satan to enter the body of a human being whose nature is inclined to corruption. And God knows best.’”
(al-Budur al-Muḍiyya)

Yes, Imam al-Hadi ila al-Haqq Yahya ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) also rejected the idea that jinn could take on dense physical forms like those of humans or animals.
(Majmūʿ Kutub wa-Rasāʾil al-Imām al-Hādī ila al-Ḥaqq)So then, what remains is the question of how the jinn affect humans. Can they harm them?What appears to be the case is that such harm occurs outside the body, in a manner similar to the draining of the body's energy or radiation-like effects that disturb the body's systems, thereby allowing the jinn to exert some control — but all of this remains under the encompassing power of God, and He knows best.And if it is asked: What is the wisdom in God allowing the jinn to harm humans? — I say: This was answered by the noble scholar and muḥaqqiq Sayyid ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-ʿAjrī (peace be upon him), who said:

“As for God enabling them to cause harm, it is like all other forms of trials — such as disease, calamities, or the creation of snakes and scorpions. The wisdom in this is that it presents an opportunity to strive for virtue through patience during trials and tribulations.”
(Miftāḥ al-Saʿādah)

Yes! This issue requires thorough investigation, as there are transmitted reports and evidences that must be carefully examined and interpreted in light of how the Imams of the Prophet’s family (peace be upon them) explained them.

May Allah grant you success.

Answered by: Ustadh al-Kazim al-Zaidi – may Allah grant him success.

O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.