Title

What is the reality of collecting bones to feed Jinns?

Question

As Salam Walaikum.

i am a new muslim and have many questions that i find ive been getting several answers to. i have done research on my and can not find any answers for one question in particular. 

the question is about feeding jin. at the end of a meal had been told by the hosts to please collect all the bones onto one plate to be fed to the jin. when i asked why i was not given a direct answer. after asking around i have been told a few things and am now confused on this mater.  is this common practice and can i have some knowledge of this subject please? 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Human beings and jinns are created for the worship of Allāh. Allāh Ta’ālā says in the Qurān: 

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ (سورة الذاريات، رقم الآية 56)

I have created man and jinn only for my worship. (Qurān )

Both human beings and jinns are dependent upon Allāh Ta’ālā and have certain needs. Among the various needs of man and jinn is the need for food and nourishment. In a narration, it is mentioned that bones are provisions for jinns. Allāh Ta’ālā creates fresh meat on the bones for jinns to consume.[1] Consider the following narrations:

فَإِنَّهُ زَادُ إِخْوَانِكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ  (سنن الترمذى، بَابُ كَرَاهِيَةِ مَا يُسْتَنْجَى بِهِ)

Indeed bones are provisions for your jinn brothers. (Sunan al-Tirmidhī)

فَقَالَ: «أَتَانِي دَاعِي الْجِنِّ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ فَقَرَأْتُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقُرْآنَ» قَالَ: فَانْطَلَقَ بِنَا فَأَرَانَا آثَارَهُمْ وَآثَارَ نِيرَانِهِمْ وَسَأَلُوهُ الزَّادَ فَقَالَ: " لَكُمْ كُلُّ عَظْمٍ ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقَعُ فِي أَيْدِيكُمْ أَوْفَرَ مَا يَكُونُ لَحْمًا (صحيح مسلم، بَابُ الْجَهْرِ بِالْقِرَاءَةِ فِي الصُّبْحِ وَالْقِرَاءَةِ عَلَى الْجِنِّ)

Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said, “The caller from the jinns approached me and extended an invitation. I accepted and went along with him. I recited the Quran to the jinns.” Ibn Masūd Radhiyallāhu Anhu said, “He took us and showed us the traces of the jinns and traces of their fire.” The jinns then asked him regarding their (permissible) provisions. Rasūlullah Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said, “For you is every bone on which Allāh Ta’ālā’s name was recited. It will fall in your hands filled with meat.” (Sahīh Muslim)

Allāh Ta’ālā through His unseen system provides sustenance for the jinns. Man is not responsible to collect bones for the jinns. [2] After meals, one should dispose of the bones. There is no need to gather bones in one plate after meals for the jinns. Allāh Ta’ālā facilitates that for the jinns. Nevertheless it prohibited for man to utilize bones for Istinjā (cleaning after relieving oneself).[3]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.