Behind the Folklore - What Is and What Should Never Be

by Rachel

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Djinn
The Djinn are said to be creatures with free will, made from 'smokeless fire' by God (the literal translation being “subtle fire”, i.e., a fire which does not give itself away through smoke), much in the same way humans were made of earth. According to the Recitation, Djinn have free choice, and Iblis used this freedom in front of God by refusing to bow to Adam when God told Iblis to do so. By refusing to obey God’s order he was thrown out of the Paradise and called “Shaitan” (See Shaitan and Satan). In the Qur'an, Djinn are frequently mentioned and Sura 72 of the Qur'an named Al-Jinn is entirely about them. Another Sura (Al-Naas) mentions the Djinn in the last verse. In fact, it is mentioned in the Qur'an that Muhammad was sent as a prophet to both “humanity and the Djinn”.

The Djinn are believed to have communities much like human societies: they eat, marry, die, etc. They are believed to live in tribes have boundaries, to follow religions as humans do, and follow the same ranks in armies as humans do. Because they are massless and can be fit into any space, some believe Djinns can settle into any location, from a vast area (like a Universe), to a tiny hole, (like a lamp). It is believed that they are invisible to humans, but that they can see humans. Some believe that they occasionally, accidentally or deliberately, come into view or into contact with humans. Djinn are believed to live much longer than humans: some of whom are said to be still alive having seen Muhammad (who lived during the 7th century). Furthermore, many believe that Djinn have learned to assimilate into the human world when they desire to do so, and that in many cases they live unnoticed among people marked only by the rather unusual or somewhat secretive practises they keep. It is also thought that Djinn can take on the form of humans and other animals. They can also be summoned by humans, it is believed.

Considered haraam in Islam, humans attempting to perform black magic on other humans, would call a Djinn specializing in dirty deeds to perform the magic. Such black magic on humans, (such as to influence a marriage to end in divorce, etc) can only be undertaken by dark Djinni. Thus, a person would pay a magician, who would then calls upon a dark Djinn, who would then perform the magic.


Trivia
The movie on Dean's TV when he wakes up is From Hell It Came (1957).

Dean's address in his fantasy is #53 Barker Ave, Lawrence, KS, 66044

In Dean's fantasy, the Impala has a new Kansas license plate number: RMD 5H2

When Sam and Dean are talking, Sam gives some examples of what stunts Dean had pulled on him in the past. Including the fact that he "hooked up" with Rachel Nave, his prom date, on prom night. Rachel Nave was co-writer of the Season 1 episode, "Bugs."

During Dean's fantasy, he is wearing a silver necklace, rather than the amulet he normally wears.

The episode title references the Led Zeppelin song "What Is and What Should Never Be" from the album Led Zeppelin II released in 1969.