A ghoul is a monster from ancient Arabian folklore that dwells in burial grounds and other uninhabited places. The ghoul is a devilish type of jinn believed to be sired by Iblis.

The ghoul is a desert-dwelling, shapeshifting demon that can assume the guise of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travellers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them. The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, and eats the dead. Because of the latter habit, the word ghoul is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a grave robber, or to anyone who delights in the macabre.