If All Life Was Made from Water, What About the Jinn?
by Dr. Isa Perry Brimah MD., MS.
A question often posed by both skeptics and the pondering minds alike is:
“If all life was created from water, what about the Jinn?”
The Quran declares in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:30):
“Have those who disbelieve not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We ripped them apart (big bang) and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
— Qur’an 21:30
We must ponder and teach by this verse, rather than shy away from it, as it is presented as a deliberate teaser to the disbelievers.
The problem is; elsewhere, the Qur’an also tells us that the Jinn were created from smokeless fire:
“And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.”
— Qur’an 55:15
So, is this a contradiction? Not at all. In fact, it’s a powerful demonstration of divine knowledge—scientific and metaphysical—in perfect harmony.
What are Jinn?
Jinn are unseen beings in Islamic tradition, created from smokeless fire and gifted with free will like humans (Qur’an 55:15). They live in a parallel realm and are accountable to God—some are good, others evil, like Satan who was a Jinn (Qur’an 18:50). Similar beings exist in other cultures, such as the Roman “genius,” a personal spirit, which later influenced the Western “genie” myth. While often portrayed as wish-granters, Jinn in Islam are complex, spiritual beings with their own communities and destinies. Aladdin is a popular “genie” character. Jinn with hundreds of years life-span are also connected to various ancient civilization advanced technology feats seen around the world and were employed as builders by king Solomon (peace upon him).
Understanding What “Smokeless Fire” Means
As a physician and molecular biologist, I’ve always viewed and experienced the Qur’an as a kind of cheat sheet to nature—a source that hints at deeper scientific realities and promotes areas for scientific research and innovation. If we take the Qur’an to be truth, as history, reason, and results have consistently shown, we have two choices:
- Assume the Jinn are not life in the traditional sense—perhaps something more like AI, digital beings, or pure conscious energy.
- Or more compellingly, we accept that “smokeless fire” refers to something scientifically tangible and recognize Jinn as life forms, also evolved or originated from water.
“Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.” Qur’an (2:117)
And here is where it gets fascinating.
Chemistry 101: Hydrogen Flame is Smokeless Fire
What is a “smokeless flame”? The most accurate and relevant candidate is a hydrogen flame.
- Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and burns cleanly.
- When lit, pure hydrogen produces invisible, smokeless flame.
- The byproduct is only water vapor—no smoke, no carbon, no soot.
- It’s also incredibly high energy, burning at over 2000°C.
- It produces very little visible light and radiant heat compared to other types of flames.
- Hydrogen flames primarily emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation
This aligns beautifully with the Qur’anic description. If Jinn are made from a form of clean-burning energy, it makes perfect sense that this “smokeless fire” refers to something like plasma or a hydrogen-based flame.
The remarkable thing is—this truth was hiding in plain sight! It’s as fundamental as the ABCs of combustion chemistry. Ask any scientist, “What flame has zero emissions?” and the immediate answer will be, “Hydrogen flame.” It’s that basic. Allah ﷻ wasn’t speaking in riddles or veiling the message—He stated it clearly and universally, in terms that both the people of the Prophet’s ﷺ time and future generations could understand. “Smokeless fire” is simply and profoundly: Hydrogen flame.
And where do we find hydrogen?
Consider this: lightning over ocean water can reach temperatures over 30,000°C—enough to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen gases via thermal dissociation. If those gases ignite, the resulting combustion is a pure, smokeless hydrogen flame—a powerful natural process hiding in plain sight.
“Under the high-temperature conditions created by a lightning strike, water molecules can undergo thermal decomposition, producing H₂ and O₂ gases.”
— López, R.E., & Holle, R.L. (2016). Lightning: Physics and Effects. Cambridge University Press.
This means that during such an event, hydrogen gas may be generated and could, under the right conditions, ignite and burn in the atmosphere—producing nearly invisible smokeless flame.
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O + heat
(Source: NIST Chemistry WebBook)
“And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds.” Hud (11:7)
Hydrogen Flame Scorches as Described in the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ not only described this “smokeless flame” in the Qur’an but also alluded to its intense heat. He said,
“And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.” Qur’an (15:27).
This aligns perfectly with scientific data: Hydrogen flames burn hotter than most common fuels. According to Google Search Labs, hydrogen’s adiabatic flame temperature can reach up to 2,250°C, making it over 300°C hotter than natural gas. Hydrogen flame, rocket fuel is one of the hottest burning fuels known to man. Truly, a scorching and smokeless fire from water—exactly as described.
Electromagnetic Signatures and Jinn Detection
Modern ghost-hunting and paranormal detection tools—from thousands of popular YouTube shows to scientific inquiry, detect various forms of electromagnetic radiation. These devices are seen lighting up in the videos when there is alleged paranormal activity and poltergeists or other “ghosts” are in the vicinity, in many of the cases, these “shadow beings” are captured also by cameras. These detectors almost always utilize:
- Electromagnetic Field (EMF) detectors
- Infrared (IR) sensors
- Ultraviolet (UV) cameras
These are exactly the types of radiation emitted by high-energy hydrogen reactions. IR, UV, and EM fields are all non-visible energy signatures on the electromagnetic spectrum—just like the Jinn, whom we are told:
“Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them…”
— Qur’an 7:27
They are naturally invisible to us, but apparently not to instruments that detect their energy signatures.
The Arrogance of Smokeless Fire
Finally, consider the story of Iblis (Satan), who said:
“I am better than him. You created me from fire and You created him from clay.”
— Qur’an 7:12
From a material perspective, clean-burning hydrogen flame is “purer” and more energetic than carbon-based clay. Iblis’s arrogance perhaps stemmed from this comparison of elemental superiority.
Yet God teaches us that it is not composition, but obedience and humility, that define honor.
Conclusion: Science Reflects Revelation
Rather than dismissing the question, the Qur’an invites it—and gives us the tools to explore deeper meanings.
Jinn are indeed made of clean, invisible energy. And the closer we look at hydrogen flames, plasma, and electromagnetic behavior, the more clearly we see the Holy Qur’an as a leading book of science.
Supplementary
Islamic tradition links jinn presence to water in several ways. A Muslim hadith mentions: “Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends out his detachments…”, perhaps revealing that the sea as a strategic base for jinn-led mischief. Believers are also advised to cover water containers and be cautious in areas like bathrooms, often regarded as jinn-inhabited zones. Interestingly, modern paranormal investigators frequently detect unusual electromagnetic (EMF) or infrared (IR) activity near water. This connection highlights how both spiritual and empirical perspectives often intersect around the mystery of jinn and water.
So the next time someone asks,
“What about the Jinn, if all life was made from water?”
You can say:
“Just as we are life-forms originating from water and elemental carbon (earth), they are life-forms originating from elemental hydrogen—hydrogen flame—split from that same pure water. Two paths from one source.”
And Allahﷻ knows best.
Video version: https://youtube.com/shorts/Bd2ve7I4Tvw?si=4KBz8bddc7nCAGrn
