Islamic Dream Interpretation: Meaning of Dreams in Islam - IBy Shaad Ahmed
Islamic Dream Dictionary: Meaning of Dreams in Islam
Islamic
dream dictionary with dream interpretation related to Islam and the Prophet:
Includes the meaning of dreams about: Call to prayer, Bathing, Birds,
Blowing, Clothing, Cover, Cows: Fat cows, Lean Cows, Fresh Dates, Ripe Dates,
Door or Gate, Opening a Door, Egg, Elevation, Flowing Spring, Furnishing,
Garden, Receiving a Gift, Gold, Hajj, Hand-hold, Keys, Laughing, Leg irons,
Makkah, Marriage, Milk, Mountains, Pearls, Reconciliation, Right Side, Room,
Rope, Ruler, Sexual Intercourse , Ship, Shirt, Silk Cloth, Sword.
See
also: Meaning of Dreams
"True
dreams are from Allah and bad dreams are from satan" [Sahih of Bukhari,
Vol 9 p 95, no 113]
BRIEF
INTRODUCTION
Most
books on dream interpretation are either attributed to Muhammad ibn Seereen
(653-729 CE): english publication of Muhammad Al Akili's 508 page work entitled
'Ibn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams: According to Islamic Innertraditions' in
1992, followed shortly thereafter by 'Dreams and Interpretations' by Ibn
Seereen.
However,
Ibn Seereen, without a shaddow of a doubt, did not write any book on dream
interpretation. He did, however, write a compilation of Abu Huraira's
narrations from the Prophet (pbuh) along with the opinions of Abu Huraira. This
text was kept by his brother, Yahyaa ibn Seereen, because Muhammed ibn Seereen,
in his later days, did not like to keep books. [Tareekh, vol 2 p 14b by Yaqoob
al Fasawee and quoted in Studies in Early hadith literature p 38]
NOTE: In the below narrations there was mention of the
Prophets, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all; mentioning of
the companions (male and female), may Allah be pleased with them; and of course
mentioning of dreams. We should be careful to realise that in many of the
explanations above the reference is to 'may', that is, seeing such a thing in a
dream 'MAY' indicate that 'such and such' was seen. Thus as none of us have the
fortune of being a Prophet, nor do we have the fortune of being in the company
of Prophet Joseph - who excelled in dream interpretation - we should consider
the matters above with caution.
General
Dreams
Call
to prayer
ATHAAN
(call to prayer): Seeing oneself giving the call to prayer may indicate one's
plans for Hajj will succeed. [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p 224]
Based
on: "Proclaim the Hajj to mankind" [Surah al Hajj (22): 27]
Bathing
BATHING:
Dreaming of oneself bathing in cool water may refer to Allah's acceptance of
one's repentance, a cure from sickness and/or the lifting of a calamity. [Sharh
as Sunnah vol 12 p 220]
Based
on: Verses referring to Prophet Job (Ayoob) "This is a cool water to bathe
in and a refreshing drink. And I returned his family to him, and along with
them a similar number of additional offspring" [Surah Saad (38): 42-43]
Birds
BIRDS:
Seeing birds flying or circling over one's head in a dream may indicate the
attainment of an administrative post. [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: Verses referring to Prophet David (Daoud) "The birds assembled, and
all (with David) turned to (Allah in praise and repentance) and I strengthened
his dominion" [Surah Saad (38_: 19-20]
Blowing
BLOWING:
Blowing away something or someone disliked in a dream indicates that the
problem will soon be eliminated. [Sahih of Muslim, Sharh an Nawawee vol 8 p 39]
Based
on: Abu Huraira (ra) quoted Prophet Muhammad saying "While sleeping, I saw
two gold bangles on my hands. This disturbed me, but I was inspired to blow on
them, so I blew on them and they flew away. I interpreted the two bangles as
the two great liars who would appear after me, and one of them is al Ansee from
Sanaa, and the other, Musaylimah, from Yamaamah" [Sahih of Muslim, vol 4
pp 1228-9 no 5650]
Clothing,
Cover
CLOTHING/COVER:
Seeing clothing or a cover in a dream may refer to a husband or wife according
to the metaphor 'libaas' (meaning: clothing/cover). [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p
221]
Based
on: "They (wives) are a cover for you and you are a cover for them"
[Surah al Baqara (2): 187]
Cows:
Fat cows, Lean Cows
COWS:
Fat cows indicate a good yield of harvest while lean cows indicate a poor
yield.
Based
on: Prophet Joseph's (Yusuf's) dream "O Joseph!" (he said) "O man
of truth! expound to us (the dream) of seven fat kind whom seven lean ones
devour and of seven green ears of corn and (seven) others withered: that I may
return to the people and that they may understand." (Joseph) said:
"For seven years shall ye diligently sow as is your wont: and the harvests
that ye reap ye shall leave them in the ear except a little of which ye shall
eat. "Then will come after that (period) seven dreadful (years) which will
devour what ye shall have laid by in advance for them (all) except a little
which ye shall have (specially) guarded. "Then will come after that
(period) a year in which the people will have abundant water and in which they
will press (wine and oil)." [Surah Yusuf (12): 46-49]
Fresh
Dates
DATES:
If one sees fresh Ibn Taab dates in a dream, it indicates that one's practise
of the religion will become better.
Based
on: Anas ibn Malik (ra) quoted Prophet Muhammad saying "Last night I
dreamt that we were in the house of Uqbah ibn Raafi and were brought some Ibn
Taab fresh dates. I interpreted it as meaning that eminence in this world will
be granted to us, a blessed hereafter, and that our religion has become
good" [Sahih of Muslim, vol 4 p 1228 no 5647; Sunan of Abu Dawood, vol 3 p
1397 no 5007]
NB
The Prophet derived the concept of a blessed hereafter (aaqibah) from the name
Uqbah, he derived the eminence (rifah) from the name Raafi, and he derived
becoming good i.e. complete (taaba) from the name Taab.
Ripe
Dates
Dreaming
of oneself eating ripe dates, acquiring them, etc. may signify Allah's granting
of provision, or a reminder to pay charity, or a reminder to avoid
extravagance.
Based
on: "It is He who produces gardens with trellises and without and dates
and tilth with produce of all kinds and olives and pomegranates similar (in
kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season but render
the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not
by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters" [Surah al Anaam (6): 141]
Door
or Gate
DOOR:
Seeing oneself enter a door or a gate in a dream, may refer to the successful
completion of a project, or the winning of an argument. [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12
p 221]
Based
on: Enter upon them though the gate. For when you enter victory will be yours"
[Surah al Maidah (5): 23]
Opening
a Door
Opening
a door in a dream may refer to the acceptance of a supplication or the need to
make one, according to the derivation of the word 'istiftaah', [Sharh as Sunnah
vol 12 p 220]
Based
on: "If you ask for a judgement, the judgement has come" (In
tastaftihu faqad ja akumul fathu) [Surah al Anfaal (8): 19]
Egg
EGG:
Seeing an egg in a dream may refer to a woman, according to the metaphor used
in Quran referring to the maidens of paradise. [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p 220]
Based
on: "And they will have with them chaste females with lowered, large,
beautiful eyes; delicate and pure, like well preserved hidden eggs" [Surah
as Saaffaat (37): 48-9]
Elevation
ELEVATION:
Seeing onself in a dream either elevated, ascending or in the sky may refer to
an elevation in status or rank (rifah). [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p 220]
Based
on Prophet Idrees, where the word 'rafanaa' is used "And I raised him to a
high station" (Wa rafanahu makanan aliy ya) [Surah Maryam (19): 57]
Flowing
Spring
FLOWING
SPRINGS: A flowing spring in a dream indicates continued reward for one's good
deeds.
Based
on: Kharijah ibn Zaid ibn Thabit (ra) narrated that, Um Al-'Ala an Ansari woman
who had given the Pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle said, (Uthman bin
Maz'un came in our share when the Ansars drew lots to distribute the emigrants
(to dwell) among themselves. He became sick and we looked after (nursed) him
till he died. Then we shrouded him in his clothes. Allah's Apostle came to us.
I (addressing the dead body) said, 'May Allah's Mercy be on you, O Aba
As-Sa'ib! I testify that Allah has honored you.' The Prophet said, 'How do you
know that?' I replied, 'I do not know, by Allah.' He said, 'As for him, death
has come to him and I wish him all good from Allah. By Allah, though I am
Allah's Apostle, I neither know what will happen to me, nor to you.( Um Al-'Ala
said, "By Allah, I will never attest the righteousness of anybody after
that." She added, "Later I saw in a dream, a flowing spring for 'Uthman.
So I went to Allah's Apostle and mentioned that to him. He said, 'That is (the
symbol of) his good deeds (the reward for) which is going on for him.' [Sahih
of Bukhari, vol 9 pp119-20 no 145]
Furnishing
FURNISHING:
Seeing furniture and rugs in a dream may indicate the coming of a time of rest
or a break from a period of difficulty or it may imply the attainment of an
administrative office which was sought. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: "Reclining on couches lined with brocade and the fruits from the two
gardens will be nearby" [Surah ar Rahman (55): 54]
Furnishing
in a dream may also symbolise women and children.
Based
on: "They will be on elevated couches. And I have specifically created
them virgins who will love husbands of equal age" [Surah al Waaqiah (56):
34-37]
Garden
GARDEN:
Seeing a garden in a dream indicates the richness of Islam.
Based
on: Abdullah ibn Salaam said: (In a dream) I saw myself in a garden, and there
was a pillar in the middle of the garden, and there was a handhold at the top
of the pillar. I was asked to climb it. I said, "I cannot." Then a
servant came and lifted up my clothes and I climbed (the pillar), and then got
hold of the handhold, and I woke up while still holding it. I narrated that to the
Prophet who said, "The garden symbolizes the garden of Islam, and the
handhold is the firm Islamic handhold which indicates that you will be adhering
firmly to Islam until you die." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 117 no 142]
Receiving
a Gift
GIFT:
Recieving a gift in a dream may indicate a blessing of happiness. [Sharh as
Sunnah, vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: "Indeed you are happy with your gift" [Surah an Naml (27): 36]
Gold
GOLD:
Being given gold or finding gold may indicate finding a suitable wife or a
successful marriage. The symbolism is derived when the Prophet restricted
ornaments of gold to women.
Based
on: Abdullab ibn Zurrayr related that he heard Ali ibn Abi Talib say that the
Prophet took some silk in his right hand and some gold in his left hand. Then
he said, "These two are forbidden to the males of my nation" [Sunan
of Abu Dawood, vol 3 p 1133 no 4046; an Nasaee and Ahmad]
Hajj
HAJJ:
Hearing oneself congratulated on doing Hajj or Umrah indicates that it went
well.
Based
on: Abu Jamra Nasr bin 'Imran Ad-Duba'i said, "I intended to perform
Hajj-at-Tamattu' and the people advised me not to do so. I asked Ibn Abbas
regarding it and he ordered me to perform Hajj-at-Tammatu'. Later I saw in a
dream someone saying to me, 'Hajj-Mabrur (Hajj performed in accordance with the
Prophet's tradition without committing sins and accepted by Allah) and an
accepted 'Umra.' So I told that dream to Ibn Abbas. He said, 'This is the
tradition of Abul-Qasim.' Then he said to me, 'Stay with me and I shall give
you a portion of my property.' " I (Shu'ba) asked, "Why (did he
invite you)?" He (Abu Jamra) said, "Because of the dream which I had
seen." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 2 p 373 no 638]
Hajj-at-Tammatu:
this is Umrah combined with Hajj in which the pilgrim is allowed to leave his
state of consecration (ihraam) after the completion of the Umrah
Hajj-Mabrur:
which means 'may your Hajj be righteous'
Abdul-Qasim:
this was Prophet Muhammad's nickname, derived from the name of his son, al
Qaasim
Hand-hold
HAND-HOLD:
Grasping a hand-hold in a dream indicates that one will continue to hold firmly
to Islam.
Based
on: Abdullah bin Salaam said: (In a dream) I saw myself in a garden, and there
was a pillar in the middle of the garden, and there was a handhold at the top
of the pillar. I was asked to climb it. I said, "I cannot." Then a
servant came and lifted up my clothes and I climbed (the pillar), and then got
hold of the handhold, and I woke up while still holding it. I narrated that to
the Prophet who said, "The garden symbolizes the garden of Islam, and the
handhold is the firm Islamic handhold which indicates that you will be adhering
firmly to Islam until you die." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 117 no 142]
Keys
KEYS:
Seeing keys in one�s hand, or receiving keys in a dream, indicates the receipt
of administrative authority. [Saheeh Muslim: Sharh an Nawawee, vol 8 p 39]
Based
on: Abu Huraira said: The Prophet said, "I have been given the keys of
eloquent speech and given victory with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy),
and while I was sleeping last night, the keys of the treasures of the earth
were brought to me till they were put in my hand." Abu Huraira added:
Allah's Apostle left (this world) and now you people are carrying those
treasures from place to place. [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 106 no 127; Sahih of
Muslim, vol 1 p 266 no 1063]
Laughing
LAUGHING:
Dreaming of oneself laughing in a dream may refer to the arrival of good news,
good times. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: "Some faces on that day will be bright, laughing and rejoicing at the
good news" [Surah Abasa (8): 38-9]
Leg
irons
LEG
IRONS: Seeing oneself bound in leg-irons indicates stability in the religion.
Based
on: Muhammad ibn Seereen said: "Abu Huraira hated to see neck irons
(metallic neck collars) in a dream, and people generally liked to see
leg-irons. Leg-irons were said to symbolise one's constant and form adherence
to religion" [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 118-9 no 144]
Imam
an Nawawee noted that the reason shakles (qayd) on the feet were liked was
because they indicate avoiding sin and evil (i.e. the feet are prevented from
taking the body to corruption). On the other hand, shackles (ghull) on theneck
is one of the characteristics of those in Hell (Quran 13:5, 34:33, 36:8 and
40:71). [Sharh an Nawawee, vol 8 p 28]
Makkah
MAKKAH:
Seeing oneself entering Makkah in a dream may refer to a state of security and
peace. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: "Whoever enters Makkah will be secure" [Surah al Imran (3): 97]
Marriage
MARRIAGE:
Dreaming of oneself getting married may indicate an impeding marriage. If there
are no marriage plans at the time of the dream, one may propose to the women
shown in the dream.
Based
on: Aisha said: Allah's Apostle said to me, "You were shown to me twice
(in my dream) before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you in a silken
piece of cloth, and I said to him, 'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was you. I
said (to myself), 'If this is from Allah, then it must happen.'Later I dreamt
of the angel carrying someone in a silken piece of cloth, and I said (to him),
'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was you. I said (to myself), 'If this is from
Allah, then it must happen.' " [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 115-6 no 140]
Milk
MILK:
Receiving milk in a dream means that religious knowledge has been granted.
Based
on: Abdullah ibn Umar said: Allah's Apostle said, "While I was sleeping, I
was given a bowl full of milk (in the dream) and I drank from it (to my fill)
till I noticed its wetness coming out of my limbs. Then I gave the rest of it
to 'Umar bin Al-Khattab." The persons sitting around him, asked,
"What have you interpreted (about the dream) O Allah's Apostle?" He
said, "It is (religious) knowledge." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 112
no 135]
Mountains
MOUNTAINS:
Seeing mountains in a dream means that you are going to Canada. LOL � just
joking to see if anyone has made it this far.
Seeing
mountains in a dream may indicate the attainment of an administrative post.
Based
on: Verses to Prophet David "Indeed, I made the mountains glorify our
praises along with David in the evening andin the morning...and I strengthened
his dominion" [Surah Saad (38): 18 & 20]
Pearls
PEARLS:
Dreaming of pearls may indicate Allah's granting of a mater, male or female,
which refer to the young men and women of paradise granted to the believers.
Based
on: "And their will be large eyed maidens like hidden pearls" [Surah
al Waqiah (56): 22-3]
"And
there will be young men of perpetual youth serving them; if you saw the youths,
you would think that they were scattered pearls" [Surah al Insaan (76):
19]
Reconciliation
RECONCILIATION:
Seeing a reconciliation in a dream may refer to a good settlement of one's
affairs. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p 221]
Based
on: "There is nothing wrong in making peace between themselves, for
reconciliation is better" [Surah an Nisa (4): 128]
Right
Side
RIGHT
SIDE: If one dreams of being led to the right side of a location, it indicates
achieving a state of security or an escape from harm.
Based
on: Ibn Umar said: Men from the companions of Allah's Apostle used to see
dreams during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle and they used to narrate those
dreams to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Apostle would interpret them as Allah
wished. I was a young man and used to stay in the mosque before my wedlock. I
said to myself, "If there were any good in myself, I too would see what
these people see." So when I went to bed one night, I said, "O Allah!
If you see any good in me, show me a good dream." So while I was in that
state, there came to me (in a dream) two angels. In the hand of each of them,
there was a mace of iron, and both of them were taking me to Hell, and I was
between them, invoking Allah, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from
Hell." Then I saw myself being confronted by another angel holding a mace
of iron in his hand. He said to me, "Do not be afraid, you will be an
excellent man if you only pray more often." So they took me till they
stopped me at the edge of Hell, and behold, it was built inside like a well and
it had side posts like those of a well, and beside each post there was an angel
carrying an iron mace. I saw therein many people hanging upside down with iron
chains, and I recognized therein some men from the Quraish. Then (the angels)
took me to the right side. I narrated this dream to (my sister) Hafsa and she
told it to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Apostle said, "No doubt, 'Abdullah is
a good man." (Nafi' said, "Since then 'Abdullah bin 'Umar used to
pray much.)" [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 127-8 no 155]
Hafsah
was his sister and she was also one of the Prophet's wives
Nafi
was the freed slave of Ibn Umar, who became his student and one of the most
outstanding scholars of his time
Room
ROOM:
Dreaming of oneself in a room or in different rooms, may refer to being
safefrom what one fears.
Based
on: "They will reside in rooms in peace and security" [Surah Saba
(34): 37]
Rope
ROPE:
Seeing a rope in a dream and grabbing hold of it, may indicate one's adherance
to the covenant with God and Islam. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p 220]
Based
on: "Hold on firmly to the rope of Allah and do not become divided"
[Surah al Imran (3): 103]
Ruler
RULER:
Being addressed by a ruler in a dream may refer to the attainment of a high
post or rank. [Sharh as Sunnah vol 12 p 220]
"When
he (the ruler) spoke to him, he said, 'Indeed, today you are considered an
established, trustworthy person'" [Surah Yusuf (12): 54]
Sexual
Intercourse
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE: Dreams of sexual intercourse are fundamentally satanic and
therefore not interpretable. However, they may only be classified as good
dreams if the people involved are married.
If
a person has an orgasm while dreaming, taking a complete ritual bath (ghusl) is
obligatory on that individual to attain the state of purity (taharaah)
necessary to make formal prayers.
Anas
ibn Malik reported that Umm Sulaym came to the Prophet while he was with Aisha
and asked him, "O Messenger of Allah, when a woman sees and experiences in
a dream what a ma does, what should she do?". Aisha remarked, "O Umm
Sulaym, you have humiliated women, May your right hand be covered in
dust". The Prophet said to Aisha, "May your right hand be covered in
dust". He then said to Umm Sulaym, "O Umm Sulaym, she should take
ghusl if she sees any discharge" [Sahih of Muslim, vol 1 p 178 no 607]
Right
hand be covered in dust: this is an Arabic statement of disapproval
Ship
SHIP:
Seeing a ship in a dream may mean success or escape. [Sharh as Sunnah, vol 12 p
220]
Based
on: Prophet Noah "Then I saved him and those with him in the shop, and
made it a lesson for all of the worlds" [Surah al Ankaboot (29): 15]
Shirt
SHIRT:
Wearing a shirt in a dream indicates adherences to the religion. The longer the
shirt, the greater commitment to Islam.
Abu
Said ul Khudri said: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "While I was
sleeping, I saw (in a dream) the people being displayed before me, wearing
shirts, some of which (were so short that it) reached as far as their breasts
and some reached below that. Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab was shown to me and he
was wearing a shirt which he was dragging (behind him)." They asked. What
have you interpreted (about the dream), O Allah's Apostle?" He said,
"The religion." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 113-4 no 137]
Silk
Cloth
SILK
CLOTH: Receiving or giving silk cloth in a dream may indicate impending
marriage. Since silk garments are restricted to women, dreaming about silk may
be symbolic of a woman.
Based
on: Aisha said "Allah's Apostle said to me, "You were shown to me
twice (in my dream) before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you in a
silken piece of cloth, and I said to him, 'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was
you. I said (to myself), 'If this is from Allah, then it must happen.' Then you
were shown to me, the angel carrying you in a silken piece of cloth, and I said
(to him), 'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was you. I said (to myself), 'If this
is from Allah, then it must happen.' " [Sahih of Bukhari vol 9 p 115-6 no
140]
Dreaming
of oneself flying in paradise holding a piece of silk cloth indicates
righteousness in the individual.
Based
on: Ibn Umar said: I saw in a dream a piece of silken cloth in my hand, and in
whatever direction in Paradise I waved it, it flew, carrying me there. I
narrated this (dream) to (my sister) Hafsa and she told it to the Prophet who
said, (to Hafsa), "Indeed, your brother is a righteous man," or,
"Indeed, 'Abdullah is a righteous man." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p
118 no 143]
Sword
SWORD:
Seeing a sword in a dream refers to one's companions and supporters coming to
their aid. [Saheeh Muslim: Sharh an Nawawee, vol 8 p 38]
Based
on: Abu Musa said: The Prophet said, "I saw in a dream that I waved a
sword and it broke in the middle, and behold, that symbolized the casualties
the believers suffered on the Day (of the battle) of Uhud. Then I waved the sword
again, and it became better than it had ever been before, and behold, that
symbolized the Conquest (of Mecca) which Allah brought about and the gathering
of the believers." [Sahih of Bukhari, vol 9 p 133-4 no 164]
Email:
alquranwasunnah@planetarabia.com
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