Ifrit, also spelled efreet, also ifreet, afrit (Arabic: ʻAfrīt: عفريت, pl ʻAfārīt: عفاريت), are a kind of Jinn mentioned in the Qur'an.
Ifrit in the Qur'an
Ifrit is mentioned in the Qur'an, Sura An-Naml:39. (27:39)
A ‘Ifrît (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place. And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work."
It's a Qur'anic passage where King Solomon asks various creatures who can bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba to him fastest. The Ifrit was outperformed by prayer:
One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when he Solomon saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself; and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly my Lord is Rich (Free of all needs), Bountiful. Sura An-Naml:40. (27:40)
Ifrit in mythology Ifrits in common mythology are jinn spirits that embody fire. They consider themselves superior to all races because they supposedly "came first," and they resent deeply that humans have found magical ways to take control over them. Even when tasked, they show an ironic and malicious attitude, tending to subvert their masters' orders every time they can.
They often appear as individuals of superhuman beauty and strength, but are very difficult to deal with.