Is there a difference between humans and jinn in acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting, and so on?
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The Shaykh : The second question: Is there a difference between jinn and humans in terms of acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting? And if so, what about dhikr and so on? 'Abd al-Ghafur Zahir.
Yes, some scholars say that there is no difference between jinn and humans because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to all of them, and we have not found in his Shari'ah any distinction between what humans are obligated to do and what jinn are obligated to do, and the default is equality. Other scholars say: No, humans and jinn are not equal in religious obligation, because we find that humans themselves differ in their obligations; the poor person is not obligated to pay zakah, the one who cannot perform Hajj is not obligated to perform Hajj, and the one who cannot stand for the obligatory prayer prays sitting down, and they are excused. So if this difference exists among humans due to their differing circumstances, then the difference between jinn and humans is even more so, because jinn differ from humans in nature, reality, and in every respect. This latter view is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). You know that jinn eat and drink; indeed, Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand, and they also get married. Since, praise be to Allah, we are not obligated regarding them, it is the same whether they agree with us in their obligations or not. But if we look at the first reasoning, which is that the Shari'ah came for everyone and no distinction was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we say: the default is equality. And if we look at the meaning, we say: there must be a difference. The fact that this was not transmitted means that the obligations imposed on jinn were not transmitted to us because we do not need them, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not inform us about them. Yes.
Yes, some scholars say that there is no difference between jinn and humans because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent to all of them, and we have not found in his Shari'ah any distinction between what humans are obligated to do and what jinn are obligated to do, and the default is equality. Other scholars say: No, humans and jinn are not equal in religious obligation, because we find that humans themselves differ in their obligations; the poor person is not obligated to pay zakah, the one who cannot perform Hajj is not obligated to perform Hajj, and the one who cannot stand for the obligatory prayer prays sitting down, and they are excused. So if this difference exists among humans due to their differing circumstances, then the difference between jinn and humans is even more so, because jinn differ from humans in nature, reality, and in every respect. This latter view is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). You know that jinn eat and drink; indeed, Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand, and they also get married. Since, praise be to Allah, we are not obligated regarding them, it is the same whether they agree with us in their obligations or not. But if we look at the first reasoning, which is that the Shari'ah came for everyone and no distinction was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we say: the default is equality. And if we look at the meaning, we say: there must be a difference. The fact that this was not transmitted means that the obligations imposed on jinn were not transmitted to us because we do not need them, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not inform us about them. Yes.