Book - "The World of the Jinn and Devils", p. 7
Ibn Abdul Barr said, "The jinn, according to the scholars of the language, are of different
types:
- If one is mentioning the jinn purely of themselves, the are called jinni.*
- If one is mentioning the jinn that live among mankind, they are called aamar
whose plural is amaar.
- If one is mentioning the ones that antagonize the young, they are called arwaah.
- If one is mentioning the evil ones that antagonize humans they are called
shaitan for the singular [and shayateen for plural].
- If they cause even more harm and become strong, they are called afreet."**
*Notice the similar sound between jinni and english's "genie". TV and other media
have twisted the concept of jinn; however, it is interesting to note its origin is from Islam. "I Dream of Jeannie" is a TV
show based around a Genie (jinni, plural of jinn). In this show, Jeannie, the genie, frequently was given a request
and the requestor never quite got what was requested as she was always creating unintentional mischief. However we understand
that the shaitan among the jinn antagonize humans, not that they are kind beings who accidentally mess up on occasion. Those
who seek aid (such as asking for favors or making request) from the jinni will find deception and a twisted type of
aid that doesn't really meet the requestor's original request, but that satisfies the shaytaanic jinn's desire for evil.
**An Ifrīt (strong) from the jinns said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your
place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work." [The Noble Qur'an 27:39]
Narration - Reported by al-Tahhaawi in Mushkil al-Athaar,
4/95, and by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 22/214
Abu Thalabah al-Khushani said: The Messenger of Allaah 
said: The jinn
are of three types: a types that has wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type
that stops for a rest then resumes its journey. [Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Mishkaat (2/1206,
no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Abul-Shaykh reported it with a saheeh isnaad]
THE ORIGIN OF THE JINN
The jinn are NOT fallen angels. They were created from a smokeless flame of fire.
The first recorded jinn to be disobedient is Iblis. Disbelieving, disobedient jinn and humans are
known as shayateen (satans).
The Noble Qur'an - Ar-Rahmaan 55:15, 15
He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.
And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Hijr 15:26-42
26. And indeed, We created man from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud.
27. And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire.
28. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from sounding
clay of altered black smooth mud.
29. "So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I created
for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves unto him."
30. So, the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together.
31. Except Iblīs (Satan), - he refused to be among the prostrators.
32. (Allāh) said: "O Iblīs (Satan)! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?"
33. [Iblīs (Satan)] said: "I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created
from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud."
34. (Allāh) said: "Then, get out from here, for verily, you are Rajīm (an outcast or a cursed one)."
[Tafsīr At-Tabarī]
35. "And verily, the curse shall be upon you till the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)."
36. [Iblīs (Satan)] said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected."
37. Allāh said: "Then, verily, you are of those reprieved,
38. "Till the Day of the time appointed."
39. [Iblīs (Satan)] said: "O my Lord! Because you misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error
for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.
40. "Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them."
41. (Allāh) said: "This is the Way which will lead straight to Me."
42. "Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the Ghāwīn
(Mushrikūn and those who go astray, criminals, polytheists, and evil-doers, etc.).
