Besides these subdivisions, certain Genii are sometimes specifically connected
with special objects or ideas. Thus there are the Genii of the royal musical
instruments (Jin Nĕmfiri, or Lĕmpiri, Gĕndang, and Naubat), who are sometimes
identified with the Genii of the State (Jin Karaja’an), and the Genii of the Royal
Weapons (Jin Sĕmbuana), both of which classes of Genii are held able to strike
men dead. The only other Genie that I would here specially mention is the Jin
ʿAfrit (sometimes called Jin Rafrit), from whom the “White Man” (a designation
which is often specially used in the Peninsula as a synonym for Englishman) is
sometimes said to have sprung, but who belongs in Arabian mythology to a
higher class than the mere Genii. Before leaving the subject of Genii, I must,
however, point out the extremely common juxtaposition of the Arabic word
“Jin” and the Malay “Jĕmbalang.” From the frequency with which this
juxtaposition occurs, and from the fact that the two appear to be used largely as
convertible terms, we might expect to find that Jin and Jĕmbalang were mere
synonyms, both applicable to similar classes of spirits. The process is not quite
complete, however, as although the expression Jĕmbalang Tunggal (the only
Jĕmbalang), is found as well as Jin Tunggal, the higher honorific Sang Raja or
Sa-Raja is never, so far as I am aware, prefixed to the word “Jĕmbalang,” though
it is frequently prefixed to “Jin.” Of the other members of the Malay hierarchy
who owe their introduction to Muhammadan influences, the only ones of
importance are angels (Mala’ikat), prophets (Nabi), and headmen (Sheikh).
I will take them in this order.
Of the angels, unquestionably the most important are Azrael (ʿAzra’il or ʿIjrail),
Michael (Mika’il), Israfel (Israfil, Ijrafil, or Serafil), and Gabriel (Jibra’il or
’Jabra’il, often corrupted into Raja Brahil). There can be no doubt that the
foregoing are meant for the names of a group of four archangels, the name of
Israfel corresponding to Abdiel, who generally occupies the fourth place in our
own angelic hierarchy.
Their customary duties are apportioned among the four great angels as follows:
—
Azrael is, as with us, the angel of death, who “carries off the lives of all
creatures”; Israfel is “lord of all the different airs” in our body; Michael is the
“giver of daily bread”; and Gabriel is a messenger or “bringer of news.”