Interpreting dreams in Islam

30-1-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

I just would like to know if there is a way Islaamicly to interpret dreams. If so, could you please shed some light on how you may go about it?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

It is proved in sound narration that a good dream is a fraction of forty-six fractions of Prophethood as mentioned by Imaam Al-Bukhari. Indeed, the nobility of the knowledge depends on the nobility of the subject it addresses. So, giving the interpretation of dreams is a great and sacred job. Once Imaam Maalik was asked, 'Could any one explain the dreams?"  He answered, "Prophethood is not a game one plays?'

Giving the knowledge of the explanation of dreams is an inspiration from Allaah one gets in his heart. Allaah Says about Yoosuf (which means): {My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams.}[Quran 12:101].

Muslim scholars have clearly stated that interpreting a dream only by referring to a book in this field is not allowed since it differs based on the persons, circumstances, times and characteristics.

However, scholars who interpret dreams sometime make use of the details mentioned in the books. An example for this is that some scholars entitled a chapter in their books of Ahaadith about the interpretation of dreams and they mentioned the situation in which the Prophet interpreted dreams.

Finally, if you are asking about a specific way mentioned in Islam for interpreting dreams the answer is that we do not know any. There are many who claim this profession without any knowledge; one should avoid them.

Allaah Knows best.