Dreams and Dream Interpretation in Islam

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Tauhid Lab Assistant · Accepted Answer

> **TL;DR:** True dreams (ru’ya — veridical visions shown during sleep) are a remaining glad-tiding from prophethood and are most accurate for the truthful; good dreams are from Allah and should be thanked and shared only with trusted loved ones, while disturbing dreams are from the devil and should be dismissed with seeking refuge and not retold [HAD1] [HAD2] [HAD3]. For non-prophets, dreams are not binding proofs in religion or decisions; interpret them cautiously with qualified scholars, keep confidentiality to avoid envy, and use them as motivation rather than as verdicts [TAF5] [FAT1] [FAT4] [TAF7].

## Core principles and etiquette

### What are “dreams” in Islam?
- Three sources: 1) good dreams from Allah; 2) disturbing dreams from the devil; 3) mind/self echoes of daytime thoughts (nafs) [HAD2] [HAD3] [TAF5]. The term ru’ya (true vision) refers to the first, while ḥulm (disturbing dream/nightmare) often refers to the second [HAD3] [TAF5].  
- A believer’s true dream is “one part of forty-six parts of prophethood,” and the most truthful dreams are for those most truthful in speech, linking veracity to dream clarity (nubuwwah — prophethood) [HAD1].  
- True dreams are from the mubashshirāt (glad tidings) that remain after the end of prophethood; there is no new prophethood, only glad tidings through true dreams [TAF7].  
- Prophets’ dreams are revelation (waḥy — divine communication), but the dreams of ordinary believers can mix with personal or satanic elements and are not proofs over others [TAF5].  
- Even disbelievers may occasionally see true dreams (as in Sūrah Yūsuf’s prison companions and the Egyptian king), showing that accuracy itself does not equal spiritual rank [TAF7].  
- Dream content is often symbolic, not literal; classical commentary describes perception of meanings through forms in the ‘ālam al-mithāl (world of images), hence the need for careful interpretation [TAF2].  
- The Prophet would ask companions after Fajr (Salat al-Fajr — the dawn prayer) about their dreams and provide interpretations, modeling sober, guided engagement with dreams [RIS1].  
- Seeing the Prophet in a dream is true in principle because the devil cannot assume his true form; however, one must verify it matches his authentic description (sīrah/shamā’il) [HAD4].

### Etiquette for dealing with dreams (adab — proper conduct)
- If you see a good dream: it is from Allah; praise Him, and you may share it only with those who love you (well-wishers) [HAD2] [FAT6].  
- If you see a disturbing dream: it is from the devil; spit lightly to the left three times and seek refuge in Allah, do not narrate it to anyone, and it will not harm you [HAD3] [HAD2].  
- Guard confidentiality to avoid stirring envy: Jacob told Joseph not to relate his vision to his brothers lest they plot against him (guideline against indiscriminate sharing) [TAF7].  
- Interpretation is a specialized, intricate science; consult a learned, pious interpreter (ʿālim) who knows Qur’an/Sunnah, Arabic, people’s states, and principles of taʿbīr (interpretation) [FAT1].  
- “A dream rests upon the leg of a bird until interpreted; if interpreted (correctly), it occurs”—so don’t shop around casually for meanings; seek those with sound judgment and goodwill [FAT1].  
- Interpretations are not conclusive verdicts; treat them with humility and caution [FAT4]. Even the best interpreters may be partly right and partly wrong, as seen when Abu Bakr interpreted a vision and the Prophet affirmed some parts and not others [HAD5].  
- Practical spiritual hygiene to increase truthful dreams: uphold truthfulness, lawful earnings, obedience, sleep with purification (wuḍū’ — ablution), face the qiblah (direction of prayer), and maintain dhikr (remembrance) before sleep [HAD1].

### Practical application and benefits for modern professionals
- Decision-making: use dreams as encouragement, not as binding orders; sound strategy still requires Shariah compliance and due diligence since non-prophetic dreams are not proofs [TAF5] [FAT4].  
- Confidentiality and team culture: share inspiring dreams only with genuine well-wishers to avoid envy-driven sabotage, following Jacob’s counsel to Joseph [TAF7].  
- Resilience under pressure: dismiss nightmares promptly by seeking refuge in Allah and avoiding retelling; this reduces rumination and neutralizes their effect by prophetic prescription [HAD3] [HAD2].  
- Ethics and

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Dreams and Dream Interpretation in Islam

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