Recent Blog Entries

Nov

2015

Dreams of the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all)

posted by Seifeddine-M on 12th November 2015 - 0 comments

The dreams of the Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام were all true - which was a valuable support to the veracity of their message. Whether they were sleeping or awake, Shaytaan was not allowed to make them envision falsehood.

Sa'eed Ibn Jubayr رحمه الله reported that Ibn 'Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: "The Prophets' dreams are part of revelation." [1]

Imaam Ahmad رحمه الله said: "The dreams of the Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام were part of revelation. Only ignorant individuals would belittle dreams and claim that they have no consequence." [2]

Dreams are, therefore, included in the meaning of the aayah:

Nov

2015

Recommended Actions Upon Having A Bad Dream

posted by Seifeddine-M on 10th November 2015 - 0 comments

When a person has a bad or alarming dream, he is urged to take the following actions:

(1) Seek Allaah's سبحانه و تعالى protection from its evil.

(2) Seek Allaah's سبحانه و تعالى protection from Shaytaan.

(3) Lightly spit, three times, to the left side.

(4) Turn over and sleep on a different side.

Nov

2015

Recommended Actions Upon Having A Good Dream

posted by Seifeddine-M on 9th November 2015 - 0 comments

A good dream is a favour from Allaah سبحانه و تعالى because it is granted by Him. It carries glad tidings, brings happiness to the heart, and is an indication of a believer's truthfulness and righteousness. These are important reasons to praise Allaah سبحانه و تعالى for it.

In addition, a good dream should be narrated to learned people who care for the dreamer and wish good for him, so as to give him a good interpretation for it.

On the other hand, he should not narrate it to individuals about whom he may have some misgivings. Such people might become envious, belittle his dream, and even try to misinterpret it in order to cause him dismay.

Imaam al-Baghawi رحمه الله said: "A dreamer should only relate a pleasant dream to a person whom he likes (i.e. trusts). If, instead, he relates it to someone whom he dislikes, that person may misinterpret it for him out of envy, causing him some distress. He may also try to plot against him, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى described Ya'qoob's عليه السلام concern regarding his sons' plotting, should Yoosuf عليه السلام have related his dream to them." [1] [2]

Therefore, upon having a good or pleasant dream, a person is urged to take the following actions:

Nov

2015

Categories of Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 6th November 2015 - 0 comments

Reports Regarding Dream Categories

Abu Salamah [1] رحمه الله reported that he used to have dreams that made him ill (from fear or worry) - until he heard Abu Qatadah رضي الله عنه mention that he had the same problem, so Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم told him: "A pleasant (or good, or truthful) dream is from Allaah, and a bad dream is from Shaytaan. When one of you has a good dream (that he likes), let him expect good, and avoid relating it except to those whom he loves. And when he has a dream and dislikes any part of it, let him seek Allaah's protection from its evil and from Shaytaan's evil, and let him lightly spit - three times - on his left side, and avoid relating it to anyone. Indeed, it will then not harm him." [2]

Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that he heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم say: "When one of you has a dream that he likes - indeed, it is only from Allaah, so let him praise Allaah for it and relate it (to his beloved ones). And if one of you has a dream that he hates - indeed, it is only from Shaytaan, so let him seek Allaah's protection from its evil, and let him not mention it to anyone: it will then not harm him." [3]

Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Dreams are of three categories: a good dream that has glad tidings from Allaah, a terrifying dream from Shaytaan, and a dream about what concerns a person. When one of you has a dream that he dislikes, let him rise from his sleep and pray, and let him not relate it to other people." [4]

Nov

2015

Shaytaan's Role In Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 5th November 2015 - 0 comments

Attributing Bad Dreams To Shaytaan

Bad and terrifying dreams are attributed to Shaytaan because:

(1) He initiates the bad and hateful thoughts and insinuates them into people's thoughts in dream form.

(2) He likes and approves bad dreams and evil thoughts.

Nov

2015

Allaah Creates All Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 4th November 2015 - 0 comments

"Allaah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs." (Sooratuz-Zumar, 39:62)

Allaah's سبحانه و تعالى creation is all good, and is of great underlying wisdom and benefit. However, the goodness and wisdom behind what appears to be evil may not be perceived by many people.

Whereas texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah attribute good and honourable actions directly to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, they often do not directly attribute to Him actions or things that are apparently evil. This is done out of respect and reverence for Him. The same rule applies to dreams: attributing good dreams directly to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is a common practise in the Sunnah, whereas bad dreams are attributed to Shaytaan - though he does not create them.

[The Dreamers Handbook]

Nov

2015

What Are Dreams?

posted by Seifeddine-M on 3rd November 2015 - 0 comments

Dreams are among the spiritual puzzles of this life. People have conflicting and confusing views regarding their nature. Only by adhering to the guidance of the Qur'aan and Sunnah can we form a reasonanble understanding of dreams.

Imaam al-Maaziri رحمه الله said: "People have numerous arguments regarding the nature of dreams. As for those who not adopt a religious understanding, their arguments are particularly outrageous. They tackle issues that cannot be reached with the human reason, and for which there is no proof; and since they do not believe in the Revelation, their statements are widely conflicting." [1]

Imaam al-Qurtubi رحمه الله said: "The reason for the confusion of non-religious people in regard to dreams is that they turn away from the Straight Path of the Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام. What we say is that dreams are reflections of the soul; and since we cannot comprehend the soul, we would not, obviously, comprehend its reflections..." [2]

We establish below that dreams are visions that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى creates and instills into our hearts.

Some dreams, truthful and sublime, are granted by Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. They support and reassure a believer, warn him of some individuals, reprimand him for some of his wrongdoings, foretell him of some good (to anticipate) or harm (to beware of), and so on. Such dreams are attributed to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى because of the truth and good they carry.

Oct

2015

The Islamic Concept Of Dreams

posted by Seifeddine-M on 30th October 2015 - 0 comments

Linguistic Definitions

A dream is a vision that a person sees during his sleep. The Arabic words for dream are ru'yaa (pl. ru'aa) and ḥulum (or ḥilm, pl. aḥlaam).

In the Qur'aan, the word ḥulum appears three times [1] - each time referring to mixed-up dreams, and the word ru'yaa appears seven times [2] - each time referring to truthful dreams.

In the Sunnah, "ru'yaa" and "ḥulum" are sometimes used interchangeably. More often, however, ru'yaa is used for a good dream and ḥulum for a bad one.