Vision of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in a Dream
Author: Maulana Abu al-Hasan Mubashir Ahmad RabbaniQuestion:
Is it possible to see the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in a dream?
Answer:
Yes, it is possible to see the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in a dream.
❀ In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
"Whoever has seen me in his sleep has indeed seen me, for Satan cannot take my form."
[Bukhari, Book of Funerals: Chapter on Visiting the Deceased after Death 1244]
❀ In another narration in Sahih Bukhari, Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
"Whoever sees me in a dream will see me when awake, and Satan cannot take my form."
[Bukhari, Book of Interpretation of Dreams: Chapter on Seeing the Prophet in a Dream: 6993]
↰ Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) included the explanation of the famous Tabi'i interpreter of dreams, Imam Muhammad bin Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him), who stated that this applies when one sees the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in his true form.
↰ In Fath al-Bari, it is mentioned that whenever someone would say to Muhammad bin Sirin that they had seen the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he would ask: "Describe to me the appearance of the one you saw." If the description did not match the known attributes of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he would say: "You did not see the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)."
↰ Therefore, if a Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) saw him in a dream, he had indeed seen the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) because Satan cannot assume his form. Since the Companion knew the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he could confidently assert that he saw the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). However, someone who has never seen the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in his lifetime cannot be certain that he has seen him in a dream. Even during the Prophet's (Peace Be Upon Him) lifetime, some unfamiliar people had to inquire to identify him as the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
❀ Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates in Sahih Bukhari:
"Once, while we were sitting with the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), a man came riding a camel. He made his camel kneel in the mosque, tied its knee, and asked: 'Who among you is Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)?' The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was sitting among his Companions, leaning on his arm. We replied: 'This white-complexioned man leaning on his arm is the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).' The man then directed several questions to him."
[Bukhari, Book of Knowledge: Chapter on Reciting and Presenting to the Hadith Narrator 63]
❀ In Sunan Abi Dawood, Sayyiduna Abu Dharr and Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate in a sound narration:
"The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to sit among his Companions. When a stranger came, he would not be able to identify who the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was among them without asking. We suggested to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to create a designated seating area for him so that a stranger would recognize him. We made a small mud platform for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to sit on, and we sat around him."
[Abu Dawood, Book of Sunnah: Chapter on the Divine Decree 4698]
↰ In Seerat Ibn Hisham, it is mentioned that when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) migrated to Medina and reached Quba, he stayed with the tribe of Banu Amr bin Awf. At that time, those among the Ansar who had not seen Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) mistook him for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and greeted him as such. When the shadow shifted and the sun began to shine on the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) shaded him with his cloak. At that moment, the people recognized the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
↰ From these narrations, it is evident that even during the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life, those who were unfamiliar with his appearance could mistake someone else for him. Thus, this is also possible in dreams. However, if someone other than the Companions sees the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in the appearance described in authentic Hadiths, then indeed they have seen the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
↰ But if someone sees a different form or if a person in the dream commands actions contrary to Shariah or behaves in a manner unbefitting of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), this cannot be considered a true vision of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Satan cannot take the form of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), but it is not stated that Satan cannot appear in another form and lie. The deceitful false prophet Mirza Dajjal claimed: "I am the Messiah and Muhammad al-Mustafa."
↰ Many people have invented various supplications and methods to see the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in a dream, for which there is no evidence in Shariah. The best way is to sincerely pray to Allah. If one prays during times of acceptance, the likelihood of the prayer being answered increases. Allah can also grant the vision of other Prophets to whomsoever He wills.