Probabilistic Characteristics

Differentiating Between Dreams from Allah سبحانه و تعالى, Shaitan and Nafs

Posted by Mohammad Awais Tahir

Set of References For Learning How to Differentiate between types of dreams

Probabilistic Characteristics

Characteristic # 9

From Allah - SYMBOLIC EVENTS 

Dreams from Allah are mostly symbolic but they can also be direct. See Reference # 2, 3 and 4. All the dreams mentioned in Surah Yusuf are symbolic in nature. Dreams from Allah can also contain plain events, but those are so simple in their interpretation that they don't create any confusion. When one gets dreams that contain symbols, then he gets confused between type 1 and type 3.

From Shaitan - DIRECT EVENTS

Dreams whose source is Shaitan contain events rather than symbols and indications.

From Nafs - MIXED SYMBOLIC AND DIRECT 

Dreams from the Nafs are mostly direct and it's very rare that they are of a symbolic nature. Symbolism in dreams from Nafs seems vague and irrelevant.

Filter # 9 : I don't have any other proof for it other than my own experience, that in the present world most of the dreams from the Nafs are of direct nature, and hence, a dream containing symbols is most probably from Allah. Also, symbols of type 1 dream are very clear, whereas symbols of type3 dreams seem meaningless and vague.

Characteristic # 10

From Allah - LOGICAL AND SEQUENTIAL 

Dreams from Allah are logical and contain a valid sequence of events.

From Shaitan - RANDOM AND CONTRADICTORY 

Dreams from Shaitan seem pretty random even when experiencing them. They contain many events that do not conform to our logical mind. One cannot imagine the ways how shaitan confuses us by inventing events that do not make any sense. So, any 'crazy' dream, as people call them, is definitely a work of Shaitan.

From Nafs - LOGICAL, BUT MIXED EVENTS 

As dreams from Nafs are based upon our daily experiences, hence they tend to be logical in nature, but they are jumbled up (See the meaning of اضغاث احلام, explained above) .

Characteristic # 11

From Allah - SPECIFIC TOPIC AND BRIEF EVENTS 

This characteristic is found in almost all the dreams of Sahaba and the dreams mentioned in the Holy Qur'an but Prophet Muhammad narrated long dreams to Sahaba as well.

From Shaitan - NO TOPIC AND A LONG STORY 

Dreams from Shaitan have no topic and they contain long stories, just like horror movies.

From Nafs - MIXED SUBJECT AND MANY EVENTS 

Dreams from Nafs contain jumbled up events and no main theme.

Filter # 10 : Hence dreams from Allah are almost always 'short' and they have a specific topic and brief events, whereas in other dreams it is hard to make out what the central theme or what the dream is trying to convey. They either contain long stories that do not make up any sense, or numerous jumbled up short events that do not match with each other.

Characteristic # 12

From Allah - URGENCY TO RETURN TO THE PHYSICAL WORLD 

Ibn e Khuldun likes in his muqadma : " the person who has the dream vision wakes up quickly, as soon as he has perceived it. It seems as if he is in a hurry to get back to being awake and having sensual perception. Were he (to continue) to sleep soundly, the perception given him would weigh heavily on him. Therefore, he tries to escape from the state (in which he has supernatural perception) to the state of sensual perception in which the soul is always fully immersed in the body and the corporeal accidents. "(Muqamda ibn e Khuldun , Chapter: The Science of Dream Interpretation)

From Shaitan and Nafs - NO SUCH URGENCY 

Urgency to return to the physical world is not found in dreams of type 2 and type 3.

Filter # 11: One experiences a certain jolt as he returns to the physical world, sometimes with a little pain in the heart, on seeing a dream of type 1.

Characteristic # 13

From Allah - CAN SEE ANY TIME 

Scholars have mentioned different times during which a true vision is seen. 

Ibn e Sireen has mentioned that they are seen during Spring or Fall. Few scholars mention that true dreams are seen during the fruit ripening season. There is no proof of these characteristics from the texts. As a general rule true dreams can be seen at any time of the day or night and during any portion of the year. But, one can expect to have visions from Allah during the last third of the night as during it Allah comes down to the Sky of the earth. Also, there is a weak narration regarding it (See Reference # 24). So, one expect dreams from Allah at holy times and in holy places (sleeping in Masjid e Haram etc). Also, one should not expect a dream from Allah when sleeping through the fajr salah etc.

From Shaitan - CAN SEE ANY TIME 

Dreams from Shaitan can also be seen at any time during any portion of the year.

From Nafs - CAN SEE ANY TIME 

Dreams from Nafs can also be seen at any time during any portion of the year.

Differences mentioned in books which don't seem logical

SIDE OF SLEEP Few books mention that if one is able to sleep on the right side only then he gets good dreams. But, that does not seem to have any proof. Rather the prophetic narrations suggest that on which side you sleep has no relation with the type of dream that you get. That is why we are ordered to change our side when we have a bad dream, regardless of the fact on which side we were before (See Reference # 33).

COLORS Few scholars have mentioned that dreams from Allah are dominated by brightness and colors, and those from shaitaan are predominantly dark and black. Although dreams from shaitaan seem to be of a dark nature, but one cannot differentiate on this basis between dreams that are of type 1 and type 3.

INTERACTION Few scholars have mentioned that when we cannot interact with dreams from Allah and we cannot change the course of events and one can interact with dreams from Shaitan and Nafs. But that doesn't seem to be a valid characteristic because there are numerous instances in which Prophet Muhammad or Sahaba interacted with the dream they had.

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Source

CONCLUSION - Islamic Guide To Sexual Relations

READ DISCLAIMER BEFORE PROCEEDING

- 1 2 - CONCLUSION

IN THE PRECEDING pages, an attempt was made to shed light on issues concerning the sexual relationship of a husband and wife in light of the Qur'an, Prophetic statements and texts of both classical and contemporary scholars. It has not been easy to discuss such a delicate topic in an open and frank manner, given the nature of the topic and given the natural bashfulness of a human being.

However, upon seeing many of our classical and contemporary scholars not only discussing these issues but explaining the finer details of it too, I embarked on this journey keeping in mind the statement of Allah Most High, "Surely, Allah is not shy of [expounding] the truth" and keeping in mind the statement of the Tabi'i, Mujahid, "Sacred knowledge is not gained by a shy or an arrogant person". I felt it was of paramount importance that Muslims seek Islamic knowledge relating to all areas of their lives, and that they do not shy away from certain aspects of it because of cultural taboos or constraints.

I hope I have gone some way towards achieving what I had set out to do. I pray this work is a source of much benefit for married couples, Insha 'Allah. I ask Allah Most High to make it purely for His sake, and that He forgive me for any mistakes that may have been committed, Amin Ya Rabb al-'Alamin.

BIBLIOGRAPHY & INDEX 

Source: Islamic Guide To Sexual Relations

* END *

Islamic Guide To Sexual Relations - Prologue

READ DISCLAIMER BEFORE PROCEEDING

FOREWORD

In The Name of ALLAH, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

All praise is for Allah Most High, Lord of the worlds. And may peace and blessings be upon His beloved Messenger Muhammad, a Mercy to the worlds, and upon his entire family, his Companions and the righteous ones who follow in their footsteps until the Day of judgment.

In answering questions from the public over the past five years or so, I have come across many individuals who desire to know the Islamic ruling on matters of sexual intimacy between spouses. Aided by the relative anonymity of email as a medium of communication, questioners have opened up and began to pose frank questions courageously without being shy and without the fear of being humiliated.

The prevalence and variety of these questions led me to keep records of them, and it quickly became evident that many Muslims are unaware of the Islamic laws and etiquettes pertaining to sexual relations. Many desire to live their conjugal lives in harmony with Islamic teachings and have a genuine inclination to learn, but are prevented by the embarrassment of asking a scholar directly. I realised that there is real need for a comprehensive work on the subject if Muslims are to live their lives in conformity with the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunna. Owing to this great need, and the significance of the issue for married couples, I began preparing a detailed and comprehensive work - often referring to the notes taken of the questions posed to me - the result of which is in your hands, Al-Hamdulilliih.

This book approaches the issue of sexual relations head on to apprise married couples of the teachings of Allah Most High and His beloved Messenger's on this subject, allowing them to enjoy their union while receiving divine reward in doing so. 
What are the correct intentions behind sexual relations? 
What are couples allowed to do and what must they avoid? 
How does one prepare for sexual relations? 
What are the rules and etiquettes of foreplay, sex itself and the moments after sex?
 What is the ideal way of spending the first night of marriage? 
These are just a few of the questions answered in this book. In addition, many modern issues such as bondage, cross-dressing, using sex aids, watching pornography, oral sex and phone sex will be discussed exhaustively in light of the teachings of the Qur'an, Sunna, reference works from the four Sunni Schools of Islamic law, and other works of classical and contemporary scholars.

It begins with an introduction outlining the importance of the subject at hand and my approach to it. Thereafter, the book is divided into various chapters that take an aspect of sexual behaviour and explore it in some depth. To further the benefit of the book, references for all the quotes have been provided, citing volume, page or hadith numbers. Similarly, notes explaining key terms and concepts have been included wherever necessary. The book ends with a conclusion, a detailed bibliography and an index of terminologies used and personalities quoted.

I thank Allah Most High for giving me the ability and strength to prepare this work. I am grateful to my parents, teachers, family and friends, all of whom, although they had no hand in any of the actual stages of producing this work, without their love, support and prayers for me, I am doubtful whether I would be able to compile this work.

May Allah reward them accordingly, Ameen. 

I am grateful to Shaykh Mufti Zubair Bayat (may Allah preserve him) of Durban, South America, who, despite his extremely busy schedule, spared time to review the entire manuscript, and provided important corrections and suggestions. May Allah reward him, give him Baraka in his time, and bless him in this world and the next. I am also indebted to brother Yahya at Turath Publications, whose constant encouragement and resolve kept me on my toes. May Allah accept his efforts in his desire and pursuit to produce high quality Islamic works, Ameen.

I also extend my appreciation to anyone else who may have helped me in any way. The absence of their names here in no way undermines their contribution. Their reward is with Allah, and His reward surpasses any gratitude that I may offer: "Indeed, what is with Allah is better for you, if only you were to know." (Qur'an 16:95)

I have tried my utmost best to clarify and systematically explain matters concerning the sexual relationship of a husband and wife. If I have done some good, it is from Allah Most High, and if I have erred, then it is from me and the whisperings of Satan. I pray, and I ask the readers to pray, that Allah forgive me and overlook my shortcomings, and make this work purely for His sake, Ameen.

And the last of our prayers is, "Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds."

Mul).ammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari

Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK

January q, 2OO8 CE I Muharram 7, 1429 AH

PREFACE BY MUFTI ZUBAIR BAYAT

I congratulate the author, Mufti Mubammad ibn Adam (hafizahullah), for this excellent work on a rather sensitive but much required subject. The author, a young, dynamic and promising Islamic scholar, has put tremendous effort into conducting meticulous research in preparation of this book, which is well annotated with references and footnotes.

Some years ago, having noticed a need for good, authentic material on the subject in the English language, I penned a concise work titled, "Etiquettes of sexual relations", which has gone through dozens of prints to date, Al-hamdulillah.

Now, Mufti Mubammad has in a very lucid and clear manner, prepared a detailed work on the subject. It covers many contemporary issues, including current sexual practices, and the Islamic rulings on them. I have had the opportunity to review this work, and to offer suggestions, which the author graciously accepted.

I have found this work to be beneficial and highly informative, and strongly recommend any prospective couple, and indeed any couple, to study this book.

May the Almighty crown his efforts with success and acceptance and may he continue to serve the Ummah with his scholastic abilities.

Mufti Zubair Bayat

Director: Darul Ihsan Centre

Durban, South Mrica

Source: Islamic Guide To Sexual Relations

To Be Continued....