Za'far Jinni: Difference between revisions

Za’far or Ja’far Jinni was, as some believe, the head of jinns present in the event of ‘Ashura. According to some reports, he offered assistance to Imam al-Husayn (a), but he (a) did not accept.  

The story of Za’far Jinni and his presence in Karbala is among controversial issues in the history of ‘Ashura, about which there is no mention in authentic Shi’a sources. In Rawdat al-shuhada, Mulla Husayn Wa’iz Kashifi mentioned a comprehensive story; but on the opposite, Murtada Mutahhari considered it among distortions in the event of ‘Ashura and a result of Kashifi’s story-telling.  

In the folklore of some regions in Iran, Za’far Jinni is mentioned and is displayed in ceremonies such as ta’ziyeh. There are also illustrations of the presence of Za’far Jinni in Karbala, one of which is the tilework of Kermanshah’s Tekyeh Moaven al-molk.

== In Shi’a Sources ==

The story of Za’far Jinni in the event of ‘Ashura is not mentioned in any Shi’a or Islamic history authentic sources. The only available report about Imam al-Husayn (a) and jinns is Majlisi’s report in Bihar al-anwar quoting from Shaykh Mufid who transmitted it from Imam al-Sadiq (a) mentioning the meeting of some angels and jinns with Imam al-Husayn (a) upon exiting Medina. It narrates that they offered to help Imam (a), but he (a) did not accept. However, no names of any certain time or place is mentioned.

Some researchers including Mirza Husayn Nuri and Murtada Mutahhari regarded the story of Za’far Jinni among superstitions and distortions entered in the history of ‘Ashura.  

Rawdat al-shuhada mentioned Za’far Jinni and described his appearance. It also mentions his presence in Karbala and the rejection of his offer of assistance by Imam al-Husayn (a). Thus, the author of this book is considered the first reporter and the creator of this story.

Among people, many stories have been spread about the relation between Ayatullah Burujirdi and Za’far Jinni. Especially different stories are mentioned about the death of Za’far and holding funeral ceremony for him by this Shi’a marja’. According to researches, such stories have no certain origin and there is nothing mentioned about it in the books and memories related to the biography of Ayatullah Burujirdi.

Since there are not any authentic proofs about the relation between Ayatullah Burujirdi and Za’far, it seems that in laypeople’s reports, a mistake has been made between this famous marja’ and an author with a similar name. Sayyid Ali Asghar Shafi’ Jabolqi Borujerdi (d. 1933) who was among the scholars of Borujerd and the author of Tara’if al-maqal, mentioned Za’far Jinni in his book and reported the story of the presence of Za’far Jinni in Karbala from one of his teachers, he regarded as reliable.

It seems that the similarity between the names of Sayyid Ali Asghar Jabolqi Borujerdi and Ayatullah Burujirdi misled reporters to attribute approvals of the stories of Za’far Jinni with this Shi’a marja’.