Authored by: Abu Muhammad Khalid bin Ali al-Anbari (رحمه الله)
➊ Dreams are of three types:
◈ Good Dreams:
These are glad tidings from Allah and are considered one of the forty-six parts of Prophethood.
◈ Bad Dreams:
These are from Satan, who seeks to sadden and distract the person during sleep.
◈ Mental Imaginations:
These are reflections of a person’s daily concerns and thoughts, often manifesting during sleep. For example, if someone usually eats at a specific time and falls asleep, they may dream of eating or, if overindulged, may dream of feeling nauseous.
Dreams outside these categories are often mere “fantasies” with no valid interpretation according to the principles of dream interpretation.
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) reported hearing the Prophet (ﷺ) say, “If anyone sees a pleasant dream, they should thank Allah for it and should not disclose it except to friends. If they see something unpleasant, it is from Satan. Seek protection from its evil by saying ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ and do not mention it to anyone; it will not harm them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Another narration from Sayyiduna Abu Salama (رضي الله عنه) states, “When I saw dreams, they would make me ill. Then I heard Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) say: ‘I used to feel disturbed by dreams until I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say that a good dream is from Allah, and it should be shared only with those whom one loves. As for unpleasant dreams, seek refuge from Satan, say ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ three times, and do not disclose it. This will prevent it from harming you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Sayyiduna Jabir (رضي الله عنه) also narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) advised, “If you see an unpleasant dream, spit three times to your left, say ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ three times, and change the side on which you were lying.”
[Muslim]
➊ Identify the main theme or key element in the dream.
For instance, if a dream indicates glad tidings, worldly benefit, or something related to the Hereafter, focus on this main theme and disregard secondary details.
➋ Use key elements and seek guidance from the Quran, Hadith, analogies, symbolic meanings, or the literal meaning of words in the dream for interpretation.
Examples of interpretations based on the Quran:
➊ Dreams are of three types:
◈ Good Dreams:
These are glad tidings from Allah and are considered one of the forty-six parts of Prophethood.
◈ Bad Dreams:
These are from Satan, who seeks to sadden and distract the person during sleep.
◈ Mental Imaginations:
These are reflections of a person’s daily concerns and thoughts, often manifesting during sleep. For example, if someone usually eats at a specific time and falls asleep, they may dream of eating or, if overindulged, may dream of feeling nauseous.
Dreams outside these categories are often mere “fantasies” with no valid interpretation according to the principles of dream interpretation.
Guidelines for Good Dreams
➋ When experiencing a good dream, a person should follow these four steps:- Thank Allah for it.
- Consider it a source of glad tidings.
- Share it only with close friends.
- Seek its interpretation if necessary, as dreams tend to manifest in accordance with their interpretations.
Guidelines for Unpleasant Dreams
➌ If the dream is unpleasant, the following seven steps should be observed to remain safe from any harm, InshaAllah:- Seek refuge from its evil.
- Recite “A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim” (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil) three times.
- Spit lightly to the left three times.
- Change the side on which you were sleeping.
- Offer two units of voluntary prayer.
- Do not share the dream with anyone.
- Do not interpret the dream yourself.
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) reported hearing the Prophet (ﷺ) say, “If anyone sees a pleasant dream, they should thank Allah for it and should not disclose it except to friends. If they see something unpleasant, it is from Satan. Seek protection from its evil by saying ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ and do not mention it to anyone; it will not harm them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Another narration from Sayyiduna Abu Salama (رضي الله عنه) states, “When I saw dreams, they would make me ill. Then I heard Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) say: ‘I used to feel disturbed by dreams until I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say that a good dream is from Allah, and it should be shared only with those whom one loves. As for unpleasant dreams, seek refuge from Satan, say ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ three times, and do not disclose it. This will prevent it from harming you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Sayyiduna Jabir (رضي الله عنه) also narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) advised, “If you see an unpleasant dream, spit three times to your left, say ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-Shaytan ir-Rajim’ three times, and change the side on which you were lying.”
[Muslim]
Method of Dream Interpretation
➍ The following steps should be considered for interpreting dreams:➊ Identify the main theme or key element in the dream.
For instance, if a dream indicates glad tidings, worldly benefit, or something related to the Hereafter, focus on this main theme and disregard secondary details.
➋ Use key elements and seek guidance from the Quran, Hadith, analogies, symbolic meanings, or the literal meaning of words in the dream for interpretation.
Examples of interpretations based on the Quran:
- Rope signifies commitment based on, "Hold firmly to the rope of Allah."
[Surah Al-Imran, 3:103] - Boat or Ship implies salvation as in "And We saved him and those on the Ark."
[Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:15]
- Crow symbolizes an evildoer, as the Prophet (ﷺ) called it a corrupt creature.
- Mouse represents a corrupt woman, likened by the Prophet (ﷺ).
- Fire symbolizes trials and destruction, given that it consumes all it touches.
- Stars represent scholars who guide the people, similar to the way stars guide navigators.