Al-Hinn and Al-Binn: A Forgotten Civilization That Inhabited the Earth?

Beliefs and myths are an integral part of the human story throughout the ages. Beliefs are those ideas and convictions we hold onto, whether religious, philosophical, or even social, and they shape our way of thinking and behavior in life. Myths, on the other hand, are the stories we weave to explain things like the origin of the universe, natural phenomena, or even our ancestors’ tales. These stories are often a blend of reality and imagination, carrying deep symbols and meanings that express our identity and culture. Beliefs and myths help us understand ourselves and the world around us more deeply, and they remain a constant source of inspiration for us.

Have you ever wondered who inhabited the Earth before us? In the depths of Islamic tradition, mysterious tales circulate about creatures called “Hinn and Binn,” said to have ruled the Earth before jinn and humans, only to be wiped out due to their corruption and bloodshed. Meanwhile, scientific discoveries reveal human-like beings, such as Neanderthals and Lucy, who lived millions of years ago. Could these myths be a symbolic reflection of those ancient beings? Or are they merely folk tales woven by imagination to explain the unknown? Join us on this thrilling journey through Islamic heritage, ancient myths, and modern science to uncover the truth behind Hinn and Binn, and whether these stories conceal secrets of Earth’s history.

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The Riddle of Hinn and Binn: A Tale from Islamic Tradition

In ancient Islamic exegesis and historical texts, such as Ibn Kathir’s *Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya*, there are references to mysterious creatures known as “Hinn and Binn.” According to these narratives, these beings were the first to inhabit the Earth before jinn and humans. However, these stories lack roots in the Quran or authentic Prophetic hadiths, making them a subject of debate among scholars. It is said that God created Hinn and Binn to settle the Earth, but they caused corruption and shed blood, prompting God to send the jinn to fight and expel them before the creation of Adam, peace be upon him.

These stories are attributed to the sayings of the Companions and their successors, such as Al-Suddi and Al-Tha‘labi, but they are often classified as “Isra’iliyyat,” narratives derived from ancient Jewish or Christian sources, or even from the myths of peoples like the Persians and Greeks. For instance, some scholars note that the story of Hinn and Binn resembles the Greek myth of the Titans, where powerful beings ruled the Earth before being overthrown in a cosmic war. This similarity prompts us to wonder: Were the ancients attempting to explain the Earth’s past through these stories? Or were they merely tales to fill the gaps in knowledge?

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Corruption and Bloodshed: The End of Hinn and Binn

The narratives describe Hinn and Binn as creatures who lived in rampant chaos, corrupting the Earth and shedding blood, which led God to send the jinn to fight them. This idea recalls the conflicts of ancient myths, where supernatural beings vie for control. However, the nature of these creatures remains shrouded in mystery: Were they physical beings like humans? Or spiritual entities like the jinn? The narratives provide insufficient details, making them akin to a hazy dream, difficult to decipher.

Notably, these stories lack definitive support from primary religious texts. Even Ibn Kathir, one of the most prominent historians and exegetes, relayed these narratives cautiously, noting their lack of certainty. This suggests that Hinn and Binn may be part of ancient human attempts to understand Earth’s history during a time when scientific knowledge was scarce. But what if these stories carry hints of scientific truths discovered later?

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Scientific Discoveries: Who Inhabited the Earth Before Us?

At a time when religious narratives sought to explain the past, modern science has opened a window into Earth's long history. Archaeological discoveries have revealed human-like creatures that lived millions of years ago, raising questions about their potential connection to the stories of Hinn and Binn. Let us review the most prominent of these creatures:

Neanderthal: The Primitive Giant

Neanderthals lived in Europe and Asia approximately 40,000 to 300,000 years ago. They possessed remarkable abilities for a primitive species, such as using fire, crafting tools, and even burying their dead, indicating early cultural awareness. Could Neanderthals be part of the “corruption” mentioned in the narratives? There’s no direct evidence, but their existence confirms that the Earth was inhabited by intelligent beings before modern humans.

Denisovans: The Genetic Enigma

In Siberia and Tibet, remains of creatures known as “Denisovans” were discovered, another type of human-like beings. These creatures were identified through DNA and some bones, indicating that they were somewhat advanced. Notably, the Denisovans interbred with modern humans, as their genes appear in some current populations. So, could these creatures be part of the Hinn and Binn?

Homo Erectus: The First Explorer

Homo erectus is considered one of the earliest human-like creatures, living about 1.5 million years ago. It was the first to leave Africa, settling in Asia and Europe, reflecting an exceptional ability to adapt. This species represents a pivotal stage in the history of human-like beings, but it went extinct without leaving a direct trace in modern humans.

Lucy: A Step Toward Humanity

A skeleton named “Lucy,” dating back 3.2 million years, was found in Ethiopia. Lucy, belonging to the species *Australopithecus afarensis*, walked on two legs, though her brain was small compared to modern humans. This discovery shows that the Earth witnessed multiple stages of human-like creatures, supporting the idea that Hinn and Binn might be a symbolic reflection of these stages.

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Beliefs of Ancient Civilizations: Myths Across Cultures

It is not only Islamic tradition that has spoken of beings that predated humankind. Throughout history, various civilizations sought to interpret the past through myths and legends that show astonishing parallels to the stories of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**. From the Sumerians to the Greeks, and from the Bible to the Talmud, we find accounts of creatures or civilizations that existed before humans—often associated with chaos or destruction. Let us explore these narratives and how they may have inspired the tales of Al-Hinn and Al-Binn.

Sumerian and Babylonian Myths: Beasts of Chaos

In Mesopotamian civilization, dating back more than 5,000 years, we find creation myths that speak of strange beings predating humanity. In the *Enuma Elish* (“Epic of Creation”), the goddess Tiamat is portrayed as a primordial entity embodying chaos, giving birth to hybrid monsters to battle the younger gods. These creatures—dragons and composite beings—echo the idea of “corruption” found in the stories of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**. Some studies suggest that such myths may have been inspired by the discovery of giant animal fossils, such as dinosaurs, which the Sumerians interpreted as remnants of mythical beings. Babylonian myths also speak of “cosmic stages,” where earlier worlds were destroyed by the gods due to chaos. This concept resonates with ancient Indian religions, where the *Vedas* describe cosmic cycles (*yugas*) involving civilizations that collapse before new ones arise. Imagine if these stories were, in fact, early attempts to explain the remains of extinct creatures—those we now recognize through science.

Greek Mythology: The Age of the Titans

In Greek mythology, there are tales of the “Golden Age” and the Titans, gigantic beings who preceded the Olympian gods and humans. The Titans, such as Cronus and Gaia, represented the forces of primordial nature and were overthrown in a cosmic war with Zeus and his siblings, as recounted by Hesiod in the *Theogony*. These stories resemble the narratives of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**, reflecting the idea of powerful beings who became corrupt and were ultimately defeated. Some scholars believe these myths were inspired by the discovery of dinosaur or giant animal fossils, as discussed in *The First Fossil Hunters*, which explores how ancient bones influenced Greek legends. For example, the Greeks interpreted mammoth bones as the remains of giants, linking myth to geological reality. In Norse mythology, a similar concept appears with the *Jötnar* (giants) in the *Edda*, beings who predated the gods and humans and engaged in cosmic battles. These ideas reflect a shared belief that the earth experienced chaotic ages before humanity, supporting the notion that the stories of Al-Hinn and Al-Binn may be part of a broader, global heritage.

The Bible: The Nephilim and the Giants

In the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis 6:1-4, the “Nephilim” are mentioned—giant beings born from the union of the “sons of God” (possibly angels) with the “daughters of men.” They were described as ancient heroes, yet also as a source of corruption, which ultimately led to the Flood that destroyed them. This account resembles the story of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**, reflecting the idea of pre-existing beings who became corrupt and were crushed. The Bible also speaks of the *Rephaim* and *Anakim*, giant peoples who lived before and after the Flood, such as Goliath in the story of David. These narratives convey the concept of a “divine war” against corruption, similar to the sending of jinn to confront **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**. Some studies connect the Nephilim to Greek myths of giants, suggesting they may be echoes of primordial beings or earlier civilizations.

The Talmud and Jewish Texts: Worlds Before Adam

In the Talmud and the *Zohar*, ideas about “worlds before Adam” are frequently mentioned. The Talmud, in *Chagigah 13b*, refers to 974 generations before Adam—human or semi-human beings destroyed by the gods because of their sins. This concept is similar to the Isra’iliyat in Islamic tradition and may have influenced the story of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**. The *Zohar* speaks of humans before Adam, suggesting that Adam was not the first physically, but rather the first spiritually or as a divinely appointed being. In Jewish legends, the world is depicted as being prepared for humanity, with references to earlier beings who went extinct, possibly as part of divine experiments. These ideas resemble Indian narratives about cosmic cycles, opening discussions about their connection to modern scientific understanding.

Other Ancient Texts: Myths Rooted in Reality

In Mayan mythology, previous worlds are said to have been destroyed by the gods before the creation of the current human race. Similarly, books like *A Book of Creatures* compile global myths about monsters inspired by fossils, such as dragons derived from dinosaur bones. These accounts demonstrate that the idea of beings predating humanity was a worldwide concept, likely as a response to natural discoveries.

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Al-Hinn and Al-Binn: Symbolism or Reality?

Now we arrive at the central question: could the stories of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn** be symbolic depictions of human-like beings discovered by science? Some researchers suggest that these narratives may have been early attempts to explain the existence of creatures such as Neanderthals or *Homo erectus*. The theme of “corruption and bloodshed” could reflect survival struggles or natural extinction caused by environmental changes.

From a religious perspective, there is no contradiction between believing in Adam as the first divinely appointed human and the existence of other beings before him. The Qur’an describes Adam as a *khalifah* (vicegerent) on Earth—entrusted with a divine mission—not necessarily the first being to set foot on the planet. This opens the possibility that **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn** could symbolically reflect these earlier, primordial creatures.

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Between Myth and Science: A Journey of Connection

The stories of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**, despite their mysterious nature, reveal humanity’s ancient fascination with understanding the past. In an era devoid of scientific tools, myths served as a means to explain the unknown. These tales may have been derived from the knowledge of other peoples or from early discoveries of fossils. For instance, large bones found in the earth likely inspired stories of giant beings.

On the other hand, science provides a clearer picture of the Earth’s history. Creatures such as Neanderthals and Lucy reveal that the planet was home to multiple species before modern humans, possessing primitive intellectual and cultural abilities. This makes them plausible sources of inspiration for tales like **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn**.

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A Mystery Awaiting Resolution

The story of **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn** remains a mystery, intertwining religious heritage, ancient myths, and scientific curiosity. Were these beings mere legend, or a symbolic reflection of Earth’s long history? Religious narratives reveal early attempts to explain existence, while science uncovers a past teeming with creatures that preceded us. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between: myths containing a spark of reality, and science revealing a history the ancients could never have imagined. What do you think? Were **Al-Hinn and Al-Binn** real, or simply stories crafted to fill the void of the unknown? Let this question echo in your mind as you ponder the secrets of the ancient Earth.