Islam and Dreams

The Quran contains many verses about dreams, and dream interpretation is presented as a special gift granted to the prophets. The dream-interpretation gift of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) is described in detail in the Surah of Yusuf, where he correctly interprets the dreams of his fellow prisoners and the Pharaoh's dream of seven thin cows, attaining great honor.

Prophet Ibrahim's dream of sacrificing his son (Surah al-Saffat 102-107) is the best-known Quranic example of a true dream and shows that prophetic dreams have the status of revelation. In Surah al-Fath verse 27 it is also reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw the conquest of Mecca in a dream.

According to the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), dreams fall into three categories, each with a distinct method of evaluation:

1. True Dream (Ruya Saliba)

A dream of glad tidings or warning that comes from God. It is regarded as one of the forty-six parts of prophethood. It is generally seen in the early dawn hours, vividly and impactfully. The dreamer feels its vividness and effect long after waking. Such dreams are best shared with a trustworthy and knowledgeable person.

2. Dreams from the Self

These reflect the day's preoccupations. Topics dwelled on, films watched, and experiences lived during the day can show up in dreams. Interpretation is not required.

3. Satanic Dreams

These contain fear, nightmares, and anxiety. The Prophet (PBUH) advised those who experience these to spit lightly to the left three times, recite the Eu'udhu Bismillah, and not tell anyone about the dream. He said: "A bad dream causes no harm so long as it is not told."

Ibn Sirin (653-729) is the most famous dream interpreter in Islamic history. Living in Basra, this great scholar made thousands of dream interpretations and became the foundational reference in the field. From the generation of the Tabi'in, Ibn Sirin was known for his deep knowledge of fiqh and his piety, and he based his dream interpretations on the Quran, hadith, and reports from the Companions.

According to him, dreaming about a snake signifies an enemy, dreaming about water points to knowledge and provision. Ibn Sirin always asked about the dreamer's circumstances, profession, and character, and would interpret the same dream differently for different people. The Ibn Sirin page explores his method in detail.

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi (1641-1731) was a versatile scholar who lived in Damascus. His work *Tatirul-Anam fi Tabiril-Manam* is regarded as the most comprehensive encyclopedia of Islamic dream interpretation. Organized alphabetically, it covers thousands of dream symbols and brings together opinions from the Quran, hadith, and earlier scholars for each.

Nablusi explains religious symbols such as performing the prayer, seeing the Kaaba, and hearing the call to prayer in detail, treating dozens of distinct contexts for each. See the Nablusi page for more.

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (702-765) is one of the most important authorities both jurisprudentially and spiritually in the Ahl al-Bayt tradition. He developed a distinctive system in dream interpretation as well.

According to Ja'far al-Sadiq, dreams fall into seven layers: divine (from God), angelic (from the angels), egoic (from the self), satanic (from the devil), natural (from bodily needs), intellectual (from thoughts), and inspirational (through inspiration). Each layer requires a different interpretive method. Placing the dream in the correct layer is the key to correct interpretation.

Some symbols hold a special place in Islamic dream interpretation and have been interpreted consistently for centuries. Performing ablution signifies cleansing from sins and repentance, while seeing a funeral generally points to long life and the closing of an era. Seeing the Prophet is regarded as one of the most precious dreams and signifies great glad tidings.

The "istikhara" prayer made before a major decision in the Islamic tradition - and the dream that follows - is a special category. Our About Istikhara page covers this in detail.