Procedure of cutting trees
Question:-
I have a question regarding the planting and removal of trees. I use quite a bit of lemons and wish to plant a lemon tree. Is it true that the Jinn live in these trees? Also, I removed an avocado tree recently. Can this be a means of harm to me and my family? Did I need to take permission and, if so, how do I go about doing this?
Answer:-
We haven’t come across any particular procedure that needs to be followed when removing a tree such as, announcing to the Jinn to move away. It is written in the Kitaabs of Fataawa that any person who owns a tree (that is planted in his land) is entitled to cut the tree and have it removed. [Re:- Fataawa Darul Uloom Deoband Pg.335 Vol.17] We have quoted a number of narrations below regarding the places where the Jinn reside. It seems that they reside primarily in the jungles and in places of impurity. The Jinn that reside in the villages or towns are generally not harmful, hence, there is no problem in planting trees, whether lemon or other varieties, and similarly there is no harm in removing a tree if there is a need to, so there is no reason for you to fear. We should recite the Manzil daily which comprises of various verses of the Quraan Sharif and will serve as a protection from Shaytaan, Jinn, Jadu etc.
According to one narration, there was a dispute between the Muslim and non-Muslim Jinn in regard to their accommodation. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam resolved the dispute by instructing the Muslim Jinn to live in the villages and at the peak of the mountains, whilst he instructed the non-Muslim Jinn to reside in the valleys (of the mountains) and islands. The narrator of the Hadith states that if the Jinn of the villages and towns cling to any person, then they don’t really inconvenience him, whilst the Jinn residing in the mountains generally inconvenience people.
Allama Zamaqshari Rahimahullah states that many people of the villages have informed us that we witnessed tents in the jungles which were occupied by people. These people suddenly disappeared hence, we realized that these were Jinn.
Ibrahim Nakh’ee Rahimahullah states, “Don’t urinate in any hole as the Jinn reside therein.”
It is also recorded in a narration of Hadrat Zaid Bin Arqam Radiallahu Anhu that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said that the Jinn reside in the toilets hence, recite the Dua when entering the toilet and consequently they will be prevented from seeing you (as a barrier will be created between you and them). This indicates that they generally remain in impure places.
Re:- Jinnaat Ke Haalaat Wa Ahkaam Pg.51/52 – Translation of Aakaamul Marjaan Fee Gharaaibil Akhbaar Wal Jaan
Hadrat Mujaahid Rahimahullah states that he was performing Salaah one night. He observed the form of a boy before him. He tried grabbing him but the figure scaled the wall and ran away. He heard him falling but never returned. Hadrat Mujaahid Rahimahullah further states, “Just as you fear the Jinn, they too fear you.”
Abu Shiraa’aa states that I use to fear walking in the streets at night. Yahya Bin Jazzaar was informed of this so he said, “The thing that you fear (the Jinn) have even more fear for humans.”
Hadrat Mujaahid Rahimahullah states that Shaytaan has more fear of human beings. If you see Shaytaan then don’t run fearing him, or else he will overpower you. Be harsh on him and he will run away.
Re:- Jinnaat Ke Haalaat Wa Ahkaam Pg. 129/130
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 17 Safar 1444 / 14 September 2022