False Claims of Dreams

Author: Fazeelat al-Sheikh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hamad (Hafidhahullah)

Hadith Reference

إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْرَى الْفِرَى أَنْ يُرِيَ عَيْنَيْهِ مَا لَمْ تَرَ

"The gravest lie is that a person claims to have seen something in a dream which he has not seen."
— [Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Tabeer: 7043]

Key Points

The Severity of Lying:
Lying is a destructive vice that breeds countless social evils. A liar may achieve temporary gains or avoid harm through deceit, but when the truth is eventually revealed, they face immense disgrace. Such individuals often lose the trust of their own family due to their dishonesty. The gravity of lying is evident from the statement of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
"After embracing Islam, any sin is possible from a person, but lying and betrayal are highly unlikely."
— [Musnad Ahmad, 5/252]

Lying About Dreams:
Claiming to have seen false dreams is one of the worst forms of lying. Some people fabricate dreams to assert their piety or to gain undue respect, but the Prophet ﷺ has classified this act as one of the most severe lies. He also issued a stern warning regarding such behavior:
"Whoever fabricates a dream they did not see will be forced on the Day of Judgment to tie two grains of barley together, which they will never be able to do."
— [Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Tabeer: 7042]

Lessons and Warnings

Avoid Lying at All Costs:
The above narrations emphasize the need to completely avoid lying, especially in the context of fabricating dreams for personal gain or to establish one’s piety.

Particular Concern for Women:
This practice is often observed among women, who might narrate false dreams to gain attention or validation. Such behavior is a grave sin in the sight of Allah and will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment.

A Serious Crime Before Allah:
Lying about dreams is not a trivial matter. It is a major sin and a punishable offense that reflects poorly on one’s character and spiritual integrity.

Conclusion

The act of lying, particularly fabricating dreams, carries severe consequences both in this world and the Hereafter. Muslims should strive to maintain honesty and integrity, avoiding deceit in all its forms. Claiming false dreams to seek status or recognition is a major sin that will lead to accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment. Let us protect ourselves from such practices and encourage truthfulness in all aspects of life.
 
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