Finding Meaning and Purpose in Your Nighttime Dreams

According to Islamic tradition dreams can be categorized into two types: -A dream that is direct and does not need interpretation -And a dream that comes in symbols and needs to be interpreted. Generally, righteous people see truthful dreams.

This course will guide you through the Islamic science of dream interpretation based on a classical text by the famous tabi'i, Ibn Sirin.

Symbols

Throughout history, people have attempted to interpret dreams, believing that they contain important messages and symbols. Islam offers an explanation for the purpose of dreams and clears up many misconceptions about them.

The dream symbols themselves can have a variety of meanings, depending on their context and the person who is dreaming. For example, seeing the Prophet Muhammad in a dream indicates blessings and guidance from Allah. It also suggests that the person is on the right path in his spiritual journey.

Similarly, seeing an animal in a dream may mean something different for each person. For example, a sheep in a dream might symbolize wealth or family. Alternatively, a bird might represent happiness or health. Those who are unsure about the meaning of a dream should consult with a knowledgeable and truthful person for interpretation. It is a good idea to avoid telling one's dreams to unbelievers, as this can lead to retaliation and plotting against the dreamer. Instead, one should share their dreams with others who love and trust him.

Objects

Islam's ancient scholars studied the etymology of names and objects found in dreams to determine their significance. For example, the name of a person in a dream may signify irshaad (guidance). Moreover, certain objects found in a dream often have multiple meanings.

For example, a young woman in a dream wearing jewellery symbolizes marriage or success in a business venture. The Black Stone at one of the corners of the Kabah in Makkah, the holiest site for Muslims, symbolizes guidance and success in one's endeavours.

According to hadith, a believer's dream can bring glad tidings, warn against an evil, or be a window into the future. Therefore, it is important for believers to understand how their dreams can help them in their lives. To achieve this, one must understand the basic principles of Islamic dream interpretation. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of this art. It draws on the famous classical text by the tabi'i, or expert in dreams, Muhammad Ibn Sirin, and explores his dictionaries and explanations of dreams.

Names

Names are an important aspect of a dream. They may signify a person, an object, or a particular part of the dream. For example, the name Siddiqoon in a dream signifies good augury. Seeing a woman wearing jewellery in a dream means her husband will be kind to her. Seeing an arrow in a quiver means the person will become influential and powerful.

Similarly, the word 'knowledge' in a dream signifies gaining knowledge. Seeing something you dislike in a dream is usually a warning to refrain from it. The Prophet peace be upon him said if you see something you dislike in a dream do not mention it to people. However, if it is something you must do then pray before telling others. This way you will avoid being blamed for something that is not your fault. Nevertheless, some dreams are direct and do not need to be interpreted. The majority of the time, however, one must use the methods of interpretation to understand a dream.

Time of Year

The time of year is used to interpret dreams by examining the etymology of words and the increase or decrease of their numbers. The number of words in a dream is significant in that it may indicate a blessing or a warning. A fat cow represents a fertile year and a thin one an austere one. The number of words in a dream may also indicate how many people are to be benefitted or warned.

In order to interpret a dream it is important to remember that not all dreams are truthful. It is important to rely on the Quran and Sunnah and not the opinion of the ahl al-hadith, and to be cautious when interpreting dreams.

It is important to share dreams only with those whom one trusts and loves. Prophet Yusuf 'alayh as-salaam was advised to not tell his brothers his dreams because they would plot against him. This was for his own good because the dreams were a means of honor and benefit for him and his family.