I would like to start this thread with an incident that happened to me recently. All this is 100% true.
One morning (or late at night) I woke up after I felt there was a disturbance in my room (not sure what). I opened my eyes and it was soon obvious to me that I could not move. I tried as hard as I can to get up but felt like there was a strong force pushing on my chest and into my bed. I desperately tried calling for help but I could not speak. My mouth was open but there was no sound coming out. This happened for about 30 seconds. After that something very scary happened. I started to shake violently on my bed and the bed was shaking too. I can remember thinking to myself at the time "I cant believe it, I am actually being possessed by a Jinn". The shaking lasted for about 20 seconds. When it finally stopped I could turn around in my bed. I still felt that there was a weight on my body but less than before. I did not dare get out of my bed at the time and quickly went back to sleep.
For days I did not speak of the incident to anyone. I did not want to think about it fearing that it may happen again if I do.
Then one day I was watching a program on The Discovery Channel. It was about Aliens (which I find very interesting). They were mentioning alien encounters, then asking skeptics and believers to comment on the incidents. One of the encounters was the Alien abductions. I heard what the believers had to say, and then came the skeptics. They talked about how these abductions can be explained by a phenomenon called "Sleep Paralysis". They proceeded to explain what sleep paralysis was and I could not believe how similar their encounters were to mine. Everything from the pressure on my chest to not being able to move or speak. I will give an experts explanation of Sleep paralysis at the end of this thread.
Here is what I found most interesting about this; sleep paralysis existed in all parts of the world. However, there is one major difference about what each culture experiences. Each experienced what "their" culture feared during episodes of sleep paralysis. For example for;
The U.S: it was Alien abductions. There are hundreds of thousands (if not millions according to some) of reports of Alien abductions in the U.S, yet there are virtually none in Mexico.
Japanese: The Haunted girl.
English: Old Hag. (An Old witch like woman standing next to your bed)
Muslims: Jinn possessions!
There are more examples but these are the ones I could think of.
I was so relieved to know that it had nothing to do with Jinn after all. I then went and told some of my friends and I was completely surprised to know that many of them also had similar experiences. It seems like it is more common than I thought but people just dont talk about it. Now here I am telling you about my experience. Did anyone have a similar experience?
Make no mistake I am not saying that it is not possible for a Jinn to possess someone (I actually dont know if it is), I am just saying that it is more than likely that it wasnt the case during that night. Which also brings me to another question, does anyone know of any ahadith that speak of Jinn possession? I have not yet come across any.
Anyway I would like to know what anyone thinks about this. Here is Sleep Paralysis explained in more detail:
"Sleep Paralysis
Definition: Sleep paralysis (SP) is transient state of involuntary immobility occurring immediately prior to falling asleep or upon wakening and is classified as a parasomnia associated with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Parasomnia is defined as any disruptive sleep event.
Indications and Experiences Associated With SP
-SP is fairly common; many people report at least one incidence that is consistent with the general description of SP.
-There are many different experiences associated with this disorder.
-The individual is obviously paralyzed hence the name. However, many people are able to open their eyes and thus can later describe their experience visually as well as physically.
-Those who suffer with it most commonly describe hypnagogic (discussed below) and hypnopompic hallucinations. Hypnopompic describes hallucinations upon awakening.
There are three different classes of the hallucinations. Historically, these factors describe many common experiences that were consider of supernatural or paranormal.
-One factor is called the Intruder, where there is a sensed presence, and auditory and visual hallucinations.
(Many people throughout time have described the Old Hag that is a shadowy hallucination and an experience of sensed presence. )
-The second is labeled the Incubus, and consists of pressure on the chest, difficulty breathing, and pain.
(Some people have described a demon choking or suffocating them or possibly sitting on their chest. This phenomenon is also thought to explain possession and alien abduction.)
-The third factor is Unusual Bodily Experiences where the individual has sensations of floating or flying, out-of-body experiences, and feelings of bliss."
