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We give thanks to Allah for the blessing of Islam and other blessings He has bestowed on us which we can’t thank Him enough for, even if we want to.
Dreams in our Religion-Islam is a great affair in the lives of all mankind, especially in our lives as Muslims. It’s so important as it is part of what glorified the lives and enlarge the knowledge of the prophets and messengers.
It was reported by Imām Muslim (2263): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The truest dreams will be of one who is himself the most truthful in speech”. So, if we want to have true dreams, that would give us glad tidings about good things coming our way or warn us so we don’t fall in mistakes that may cost us, we MUST be righteous and be true in our words and dealings with Allah and our fellow creatures.
In the same Hadith reported by Imām Muslim (2263): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Dreams are of three (3) types:
1. Good dream which is a sort of good tidings from Allah;
2. Bad dream which causes pain which is from the Shaytan;
3. Suggestion of one’s own mind.
The first one, the good dream is from Allah which may serve as glad tidings for a goodness coming one’s way or a warning to prevent a bad thing that may befall the person. This is the dream of the prophets and other righteous people.
The second one is from Shaytan that brings grief, sadness, and pain to a believer. Shaytan does it to bring pain and sadness to a believer as he doesn’t want happiness and peace for a Muslim.
The third one, are thoughts and hopes one sees in his dreams because they’re things he had on his mind or talked about before sleeping. This may include dreaming about being in class as a teacher or student, traveling to a location you were planning to embark on weeks later and the likes of these. This is neither a glad tidings nor a warning from Allah. It’s also not from the tricks of Shaytan, as ANYTHING can be seen. It’s of no importance for a Muslim to busy himself or ask around about this kind of dreams.
The one who dreams, whether he sees what pleases him or not, each of them has ways and manners we should deal with them as reported by Imām Bukhāri (6985) from the prophet ﷺ:
“If any of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and narrate it to others (those he trusts); but if he sees something else, i.e., a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Satan, and he should seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and he should not mention it to anybody, for it will not harm him.”
It’s also reported by Imām Muslim (2261): “A good vision comes from Allah and a (bad) dream (hulm) comes from devil. So when one of you sees a bad dream (hulm) which he does not like, he should spit on his left side thrice and seek refuge with Allah from its evil; then it will not harm him.”
It’s also reported by Imām Muslim (2262): If anyone sees a dream which he does not like, he should spit on his left side three times, and seek refuge with Allah from the Satan three times, and let him turn over from the side on which he was sleeping.
With all these narrations, these are the things one can do depending on what he sees in his dreams:
A. If one sees a dream that pleases him, he should:
1. Be grateful to Allah for the blessing.
2. He should say it, if he likes to only those he loves and also trusts they love him to, among close relatives and friends.
3. He should expect the goodness it has brought.
B. If one sees a bad dream that scares/saddens him, he should:
1. Seek refuge with Allah from the bad the dream has brought.
2. Seek refuge with Allah from the bad deeds of Shaytan.
3. Spit on his left side three (3) times.
4. He should NEVER say it to ANYONE.
5. He should perform solah.
6. Turn over from the side he was sleeping on.
If a Muslim should follow these ways and footsteps laid down by prophet ﷺ, Allah will safeguard him, guide his heart and he will be safe from disturbing thoughts that made a lot of people fell in unnecessary anxiety and confusion which made them seek the help of those that may harm them by translating their dreams for them without knowledge, may Allah safeguard us.
THE DANGER OF TRANSLATING DREAM WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
The knowledge of dreams is considered great and it has its standards and should never be toyed with. Imām Mālik said: Dream is a fraction of prophethood, do not play with prophethood. He also said: It is not right to translate dreams without knowledge of it.
It’s very common in recent times those who are known for translating dreams and some even consider it a profession by which they earn their living. Then, they dare to give meanings to dreams, meanings without knowledge. May Allah have mercy on the one who knows the truth and follows it, knows the bad and keeps away from it and also, stop himself when Allah decrees.
SOME DREAMS THE PROPHET HAD
DREAMS AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS PROPHETHOOD
It was reported by Imām Bukhari (4953): “The commencement of the divine inspiration to Allah’s messenger ﷺ was in the form of true dreams in his sleep, for he never had a dream but it turned out to be true and clear as the bright daylight.
DREAM THAT REVEALED THE NUMBER OF BELIEVERS IN THE BATTLE OF BADR
Allah, the Exalted says: “(And remember) when Allâh showed them to you as few in your (i.e. Muhammad’s ﷺ ) dream; if He had shown them to you as many, you would surely have been discouraged, and you would surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allâh saved (you). Certainly, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.(Al-Anfāl:43)
DREAM THAT SHOWED THE PROPHET AND HIS COMPANION WILL ENTER MASJIDUL-HARĀM
Allah, the Exalted says: “Allâh shall fulfil the true vision which He showed to His Messenger ﷺ [i.e. the Prophet ﷺ saw a dream that he has entered Makkah along with his Companions, having their (head) hair shaved and cut short] in very truth. Certainly, you shall enter Al-Masjid-al-Harâm, if Allâh wills, secure, (some) having your heads shaved, and (some) having your head hair cut short, having no fear. He knew what you knew not, and He granted besides that a near victory. (Al-Fath:27)
Excerpts from some lectures delivered during the last ten days of Ramadan 1446 by Sheikh Abū Khadījah Shaakir Bn Yūsuf As-Sanadiy by his student, Waliyy Sulaimon, a teacher at Al-Waduud International Academy.