Can Jinns (shaytan, iblees) read your thoughts and feelings?
In Islamic teachings, it is generally understood that jinn, including those classified as shayatin (devils) or Iblis, do not have the ability to read the thoughts and feelings of human beings. Their knowledge is limited, and they cannot access the inner thoughts of individuals. This is supported by the words of the jinn themselves when they say, And we know not whether harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intendeth guidance for them
72:10. This statement indicates that the jinn do not possess knowledge of the specific intentions or inner thoughts of humans.
Additionally, there are narrations that clarify the limitations placed on the jinn. For instance, Sahih Muslim narrates that The Prophet ﷺ did not recite to the jinn nor did he see them. He set out with a group of his companions, heading to the 'Ukaz market. The devils were obstructed from hearing the news of the heavens, and shooting stars were cast upon them, so the devils returned to their people and said, 'What is wrong with you?' They replied, 'We have been prevented from hearing the news of the heavens, and shooting stars have been hurled at us.' They said, 'This is due to something that has happened. Go strike the east and the west of the earth and see what this thing is that prevented us from hearing the news of the heavens.' So they set out to strike the east and west of the earth. They passed by the group who were heading towards Tihamah, near Nakhl, en route to the 'Ukaz market, and who were praying Fajr prayer with the Prophet ﷺ. When they heard the Qur'an, they listened attentively and said, 'This is what hindered us from the news of the heavens.' They returned to their people and said, 'O our people! Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur'an that guides to what is right, so we have believed in it and will not associate anyone with our Lord.' Then Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: 'Say, it has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened'
Sahih Muslim 4:168.
These sources indicate that jinn do not have access to the private thoughts of humans, and their understanding is limited to what they can observe or hear, particularly in relation to the divine message being conveyed through the Qur'an.
Sources
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72:10 · Al-Jinn
72:10 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِىٓ أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًۭا
And we know not whether harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intendeth guidance for them.
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Sahih Muslim 4:168
Sahih Muslim · Book 4, Hadith 168 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Prophet ﷺ did not recite to the jinn nor did he see them. He set out with a group of his companions, heading to the 'Ukaz market. The devils were obstructed from hearing the news of the heavens, and shooting stars were cast upon them, so the devils returned to their people and said, 'What is wrong with you?' They replied, 'We have been prevented from hearing the news of the heavens, and shooting stars have been hurled at us.' They said, 'This is due to something that has happened. Go strike the east and the west of the earth and see what this thing is that prevented us from hearing the news of the heavens.' So they set out to strike the east and west of the earth. They passed by the group who were heading towards Tihamah, near Nakhl, en route to the 'Ukaz market, and who were praying Fajr prayer with the Prophet ﷺ. When they heard the Qur'an, they listened attentively and said, 'This is what hindered us from the news of the heavens.' They returned to their people and said, 'O our people! Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur'an that guides to what is right, so we have believed in it and will not associate anyone with our Lord.' Then Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: 'Say, it has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened.'
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