Is It Permissible to Trek in Jungles and Caves?
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
Is it permissible to trek in jungles and caves, as some say that is where the Jinn dwell?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
The Jinn indeed dwell in places with impurities, where Allah Most High is not remembered, and where humans do not frequent.
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said “Indeed these abandoned areas of impurity are places where the devils and jinn are present, so when any of you goes to relieve himself let him say, ‘Oh Allah I seek refuge in you from male and female demons.’” [Abu Dawud]
Commenting on this narration, the scholars mention that the Jinn wait for humans in such places to harm them.
Although the above narration does not prohibit going to these places, it certainly indicates that one should avoid it as much as possible. Other narrations discourage letting one’s children outside at the beginning of the night, due to the spreading of the Jinn at that time.
Lessons from the Above Hadith
Firstly, one should not frequent such places without need or benefit.
Secondly, when one does visit such places, one should avoid doing so at nighttime, one should be mindful to seek refuge in Allah Most High from the Jinn and abundantly remember Allah while there.
Hiking and Walking in Nature
This is not to discredit the importance and permissibility of things like hiking and walking in nature. The discouragement above is regarding abandoned places where filth is present and Allah is not mentioned. Trails through the forest are not abandoned, even though they are frequented less than public areas.
One can intend to fulfill the Quranic command of travelling the land to reflect on the greatness of Allah.
Still, if one is hiking through trails, it is better to do so in a group, during daylight hours, and to remember Allah and to seek refuge in Allah Most High from the evil Jinn.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies in Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. There he completed the memorization of the Qur’an and his study of the Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, al-Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, al-Shaykh Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others. Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
