I have read through the Qur’an and have found that there are creatures called jinn. So is this understanding correct, and is it right to ask them for help? هل يوجد مخلوقات تدعى الجن؟

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.

As to what follows:

 In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:

What you have mentioned concerning what you have understood from the Qur’an that there are creatures called jinn, is a correct understanding. And so Allah has created three worlds: the world of the angels, the world of the jinn and the world of the humans. All of these worlds consist of intelligent and responsible creatures. None among the Muslims has ever opposed the existence of the jinn, nor that Allah has sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) to them, and that they are held responsible and have been commanded, and that Allah Almighty has empowered them with powers the abilities of which humans are incapable of. And so, for example, they have the ability to take the form of animals and humans, the power to perform many tasks, the speed of movement and other than that. That is why Allah Almighty utilized them for His prophet Sulayman, and as such they worked for him. He Almighty said:

 “And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever among them deviated from Our command, We will make him taste of the punishment of the blazing Fire. They made for him what he willed of elevated chambers, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and stationary kettles.” [Saba’ 34:12-13]

And He Almighty said:

 “So We subjected to him the wind blowing by his command, gently, wherever he directed; And also the devils [of jinn] - every builder and diver; And others bound together in shackles.” [Saad 38:36-38]

Moreover, this utilization was in answering the supplication of Sulayman (peace be upon him), as he said:

 “And grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me.” [Saad 38:35]

So this verse proves that this kingdom which consisted of utilizing the jinn and having dominance over them was specific to Sulayman (peace be upon him), and as such would not be given to anyone after him. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) refrained from tying a jinn to one of the pillars of the mosque when he appeared before him in his prayer. He (peace be upon him) said, “A highly wicked demon from among the jinn escaped last night to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me power over him, so I seized him and intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque in order that you all together, or all of you, may be able to see him in the morning, but I remembered the supplication of my brother Sulayman,“And grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me.” So I released him, letting him go humiliated.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Thus, you should realize that it is not realistically nor Islamically possible for all of mankind to dominate over the jinn, but that Allah may honor some of His righteous saintly slaves by making one of the jinn to assist them in some things, either knowingly or unknowingly. As for seeking help from them, then there is a difference of opinion among the people of knowledge concerning that. It is safer for one to avoid that because this act is an innovation, for it has not been narrated that the Salaf (may Allah have mercy on them) from among the Companions and those after them, ever used this method; and the latter part of this Ummah will never be rectified except by that which rectified its first part. And so here was the Prophet (peace be upon him) going through the darkest of circumstances and hardest of situations in the battles of Uhud, al-Ahzab and others, and yet he did not attach his heart except with Allah, nor use means except that which was within human capacity.

Furthermore, some of the people of knowledge have cited as evidence for refraining from dealing with the jinn Allah’s statements:

“Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every sinful liar.” [Al-Shu`ara’ 26:221-222]

“And on the Day when He will gather them all together [and say], ‘O assembly of jinn, you have misled many of mankind.’ And their allies among mankind will say, ‘Our Lord, some of us made use of others.’” [Al-An`am 6:128]

 “And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in males from the jinn, but they only increased them in sin and disbelief.” [Al-Jinn 72:6]

Moreover, what is most common among jinn is that they do not serve humans except if they offer to them a host of different forbidden religious sacrifices, such as slaughtering for them or writing the words of Allah Almighty with impurities, and other such acts. As for utilizing them in aiding the religion and the Muslims, then the answer is also that this was not done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions, even though they were in dire need of it. So this proves that it is not among that which is to be pursued in order to change situations and aid religions. But having said that, Allah Almighty may utilize them to aid His religion, however the Sunnah of Allah has proceeded in His creation that this religion is empowered and granted victory through the efforts of humans, their power, sacrifices and sweat. So it is obligatory upon us to exert our efforts with what is within our capacity and ability in order to aid the religion of Allah Almighty, and let us realize that Allah will surely aid His religion and make His party triumphant.