Jinn are powerful, emotional beings capable of living for thousands of years.

Crafted from smokeless fire, the shapeshifting jinni (known as ‘genie’ in the Western world) are far more important, and frightening, than pop culture would have us believe. Usually invisible to the human eye, they can take any form to appear to humans. Once worshipped in ancient Arabic cultures, the jinni is now known for it’s wish-granting capabilities.

The episode below explains how jinn became a popular character in fiction, while looking at how their origins continue to influence Islamic cultures today. From the Qur’an to The Thousand and One Nights, the story of Aladdin to I Dream of Jeannie and everything in between—the jinn are more than just a being trapped in a lamp who grants wishes. They’re powerful, intellectual entities whose stories are woven into ancient Islamic culture.

Written and hosted by Emily Zarka.

More from Monster Complex

• Monstrum: The Killer Origins of the Werewolf

• Making a BEETLEJUICE SEQUEL—it’s (probably) happening!

• N.D. Jones interview: “I prefer to view my approach to paranormal fiction as a broadening of the genre.”

• Monster Mash: 13 Movies Where Frankenstein Meets Dracula Meets The Wolf Man

• Multiverse Fiction: 22 Diverting Examples of Parallel Universe Stories

• When ‘The Simpsons’ Turned ‘Planet of the Apes’ Into a Musical

• Harry Potter fans—21 series you should check out

• Kolchak: The Night Stalker—50th Anniversary Retrospective

• Jennifer Meinking: Complete Loki of Midgard Series

• Military Monsters ‘Creature Commandos’ returning in new TV show, new comic book

• 14 Monster Families from Charmed, Hotel Transylvania, The Munsters, more

• Urban Fantasy Showcase: 70 Authors To Know and Their Works

• 75+ Urban Fantasy Writers Who Aren’t White UPATED

• 25+ Indian Authors Who Write Science Fiction, Horror, and Urban Fantasy