Different Types Of Dreams And Their Names

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

 " Dreams are of three types: one good dream which is a sort of good tidings from Allah; the evil dream which causes pain is from the satan; and the third one is a suggestion of one's own mind "

When we say our prayers we talk to Allah سبحانه و تعالى and when we read the Qur'an Allah سبحانه و تعالى talks to us. There is another way in which Allah سبحانه و تعالى talks to us, that is through dreams. The only source of glad tidings, prophecy and revelation, that remains to the present day are dreams revealed upon the momineen by Allahسبحانه و تعالى . And as the time draws near the end the importance of dreams increases. Allah سبحانه و تعالى talks to us in dreams, sometimes giving us direct messages and sometimes encoded messages which only the wise can interpret. These few lines just for those, who think dreams are nothing more than imagination. Yes, for few of us, dream is nothing more than vain sporting of the shatain and confused plays of the Nafs. If we are yet to experience the sweetness of dreams that come from Allah سبحانه و تعالى and almost always experience vague, useless dreams, then we need to stop and question ourselves, why? I would be giving practical steps in the end to tune ourselves to the right frequency to get dreams from the right source. 

Modern Science is yet to fully comprehend the phenomenon of dreams. Who programs different types of dreams? Who dictates the randomness? Psychologists have played their part in understanding different types of dreams and their relation with different types of sleeps, but with their limited tool of 'five-senses' they can only comprehend one type of dreams; dreams that are a result of what we think during the day or have something to do with a past experience. There are other types of dreams which have relation with a dimension which is beyond the scope of 'five-senses', and hence lies in the domain of metaphysics or parapsychology. 

Ibn Al Qayyim says, " Those who says that these dreams are only thoughts and beliefs, are wrong and make an impossible claim. Because a body does not have the inbuilt capability to know things which are told in dreams. In some dreams they are not thoughts as the body has no hint or sign of them. However, sometimes they might be a result of thoughts, one cannot disagree with it . Dreams are of three types : From Allah, From Satan and From Nafs" (Kitab ur Ruh, Ibn Al Qayyim)

 
 

The purpose of this write-up is to understand: 

A- What are the different types of dreams and what are their names?
 
B- Mechanism of different types of dreams?
 
C- What are the subcategories within the main categories?
 
D- How to deal with different types of dreams?
 
E- How to differentiate between different types of dream?
 
F- Guideline for those who have dreams from Shaitan and Nafs only.

 
 

To understand the article better see the references mentioned here

 

(This is already a pretty long write-up, so I've not mentioned the references along the way. But those who really wish to get something from the article, should open the references in another tab and consult them where I've referred to them)

  

A- Different Types Of Dreams And Their Names 

 

" Dreams are of three types: one good dream which is a sort of good tidings from Allah; the evil dream which causes pain is from the satan; and the third one is a suggestion of one's own mind " (Reference# 35)

 

So, as per the broadest categorization there are three types of dreams:
 
(1) Dreams from Allah سبحانه و تعالى :  

They have various names الرُّؤْيَا : Dreams. It comes from the root word (رءى), and it means seeing a something in a dream (الرُّؤْيَا), in contrast to الرؤية which means seeing a physical object. In all the references that we've mentioned below the word الرؤيا is used for good dreams or dreams from Allah سبحانه و تعالى and the word حلم is used for dreams from satan or those due to one's own thinking. ( See مفردات القران by Imam Raghib) 

الرُّؤْيَا الرحمانية : Dreams from Ar-Rahman
الرُّؤْيَا الصادقة : True Dreams
الرُّؤْيَا الصالحة : Good Dreams
الرُّؤْيَا الْحَسَنَةُ : Good Dreams
رُؤْيَا الْمُؤْمِنِ : Dreams of a mo'min (believer) 

(2) Dreams from Shaitan :

الحلم : As metnioned above the word حلم is always used for false dreams (dreams that are from the satan or from one's own thinking). Hence, within احلام we can form two different categories. الاحلام الشيطانية and الاحلام النفس . Also, when the word حلم is used alone in the texts it is used for the dreams from satan, and when dreams from Nafs (own thinking) are mentioned the word ألاحلام النفس or اضغاث الاحلام is used. 

الاحلام الشيطانية : As mentioned above, used to specificy as dreams from shiatan whereas the word حلم alone also means so. 

(3) Dreams from Nafs: 

اضغاث الاحلام : The word has been used to refer to dreams that are a result of one's own thinking, that takes some strange shapes in dreams. The word has been used twice in the Qur'an. See Reference # 4 and also Surah Al Anbiya 21:5. اضغاث comes from the root word ض غ ث which means dry grass or branches, which is used to point towards mixed up dreams that are of no significance when it comes to interpretation. ( See مفردات القران by Imam Raghib) 

حديث النفس: A thought, a vision that comes from within one's own self.

الاحلام النفس : A false or bad or meaningless dreams that come from with one's own self.

 

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The Strategic Role of Dreams and Visions In Islam 

By Sheikh Imran Hosein

Dreams of Sahaba

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

Posted by Mohammad Awais Tahir 

This is a list of Ayaat of Holy Qur'an and the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW. This set of references will aid us in understanding the subject of dreams better. This set of references has been collected in order to understand better how to differentiate between the different types of dreams.

The Main article can be found here:

Differentiating Between Dreams from Allah, Shaitan and Nafs

 

Dreams of Sahaba

(41) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Some people were shown the Night of Qadr as being in the last seven days (of the month of Ramadan). The Prophet said, "Seek it in the last seven days (of Ramadan)"

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(42) Um al-'Ala said: "(regarding Usman bin Maz'un) By Allah, I will never attest the righteousness of anybody after that." She added: "Later I saw in a dream a flowing spring for 'Uthman. So I went to Allah's Apostle and mentioned that to him. He said, that is (the symbol of) his good deeds (the reward for) which is going on for him."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(43) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Men from the companions of Allah's Apostle used to see dreams during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle and they used to narrate those dreams to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Apostle would interpret them as Allah wished. I was a young man and used to stay in the masjid before my wedlock. I said to myself: "If there were any good in myself, I too would see what these people see." So when I went to bed one night, I said: "O Allah! If you see any good in me, show me a good dream." So while I was in that state, there came to me (in a dream) two angels. In the hand of each of them there was a mace of iron, and both of them were taking me to Hell, and I was between them, invoking Allah: "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from Hell." Then I saw myself being confronted by another angel holding a mace of iron in his hand. He said to me: "Do not be afraid, you will be an excellent man if you only pray more often." So they took me till they stopped me at the edge of Hell, and behold, it was built inside like a well and it had side posts like those of a well, and beside each post there was an angel carrying an iron mace. I saw therein many people hanging upside down with iron chains, and I recognized therein some men from the Quraish. Then (the angels) took me to the right side. I narrated this dream to (my sister) Hafsa. Hafsa told me that she had mentioned it to the Prophet and he said: "Abdullah is a righteous man, if only he would pray more at night." (Az-Zuhri said: "After that 'Abdullah used to pray more at night.")

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(44) Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: A man came to Allah's Apostle and said: "I saw in a dream, a cloud having shade. Butter and honey were dropping from it and I saw the people gathering it in their hands, some gathering much and some a little. And behold, there was a rope extending from the earth to the sky, and I saw that you (the Prophet) held it and went up, and then another man held it and went up and (after that) another (third) held it and went up, and then after another (fourth) man held it, but it broke and then got connected again."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(45) Narrated Qais bin 'Ubada: I was sitting in a gathering in which there was Sa'd bin Malik and Ibn 'Umar. 'Abdullah bin Salam passed in front of them and they said: "This man is from the people of Paradise." I said to 'Abdullah bin Salam: "They said so-and-so." He replied: "Subhan Allah! They ought not to have said things of which they have no knowledge, but I saw (in a dream) that a post was fixed in a green garden. At the top of the post there was a handhold and below it there was a servant. I was asked to climb (the post). So I climbed it till I got hold of the handhold." Then I narrated this dream to Allah's Apostle. Allah's Apostle said: "Abdullah will die while still holding the firm reliable handhold (i.e., Islam)."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(46) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Some people were shown the Night of Qadr as being in the last seven days (of the month of Ramadan). The Prophet said, "Seek it in the last seven days (of Ramadan)." 

(Sahih Al Bukhari) 

(47) Narrated 'Abdullah bin Salam: (In a dream) I saw myself in a garden, and there was a pillar in the middle of the garden, and there was a handhold at the top of the pillar. I was asked to climb it. I said: "I cannot." Then a servant came and lifted up my clothes and I climbed (the pillar), and then got hold of the handhold, and I woke up while still holding it. I narrated that to the Prophet who said: "The garden symbolizes the garden of Islam, and the handhold is the firm Islamic handhold which indicates that you will be adhering firmly to Islam until you die."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(48) Narrated Ibn 'Umar: I saw in a dream a piece of silken cloth in my hand, and in whatever direction in Paradise I waved it, it flew, carrying me there. I narrated this (dream) to (my sister) Hafsa and she told it the Prophet who said (to Hafsa): "Indeed, your brother is a righteous man," or, "Indeed, 'Abdullah is a righteous man."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

Author: Mohammad Awais Tahir

The author may or may not have the same views on the topic and would not like to be quoted on what has been said above. The author, however, deems nothing wrong with changing opinions, hence, he does not wish to amend/remove posts that do not resonate with his current thinking.

“Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love truth.”

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Topic of Dreams in Ahadith

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

Posted by Mohammad Awais Tahir 

This is a list of Ayaat of Holy Qur'an and the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW. This set of references will aid us in understanding the subject of dreams better. This set of references has been collected in order to understand better how to differentiate between the different types of dreams.

The Main article can be found here:

Differentiating Between Dreams from Allah, Shaitan and Nafs

 

Topic of Dreams in Ahadith

(11) Ata ibn Yasar narrated: A man from Egypt asked Sayyidina Abu Darda (RA) about those words of Allah the Majestic, the Glorious: 'For them are glad tidings in the life of this world.' (10: 64) He said, "No one besides you and one other man has asked me to explain this verse since I had asked Allah's Messenger (SAW) about it. When I had asked him, Allah Messenger (SAW) also disclosed that no one has asked him besides me since the verse was revealed. It means good dreams that a Muslim sees or is shown them".

(Jami Tirmidhi , Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani)

(12) Narrated 'Aisha: The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good righteous (true) dreams in his sleep. He never had a dream but that it came true like bright day light.

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(13) Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "A good dream (ﺔﻧﺳﺣﻟﺍ ﺎﻳﺅﺭﻟﺍ) of a righteous man is one of forty-six parts of prophetism."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(14) Narrated Abu Qatada: The Prophet said, "A true good dream (ﺔﻗﺩﺎﺻﻟﺍ ﺎﻳﺅﺭﻟﺍ) is from Allah, and a bad dream (ﻡﻠﺣﻟﺍ) is from Satan ."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(15) Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "If anyone of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and narrate it to others; but if he sees something else, i.e., a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Satan, and he should seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and he should not mention it to anybody, for it will not harm him."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(16) Narrated Abu Qatada: The Prophet said, "A good dream that comes true is from Allah, and a bad dream is from Satan, so if anyone of you sees a bad dream, he should seek refuge with Allah from Satan and should spit on the left, for the bad dream will not harm him."

Sahih Al Bukhari)

(17) Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet said, "The (good) dreams (ﻥﻣﺅﻣﻟﺍ ﺎﻳﺅﺭ) of a faithful believer are a part of the forty-six parts of prophetism"

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(18) Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "A good dream (ﺔﺣﻟﺎﺻﻟﺍ ﺎﻳﺅﺭﻟﺍ) is a part of the forty six parts of prophetism."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(19) Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "Nothing is left of the prophetism except Al-Mubashshirat." They asked, "What are Al-Mubashshirat?" He replied, "The true good dreams (that conveys glad tidings) (ﺔﺣِﻟﺎﺻﻟﺍ ﺎﻳﺅﺭﻟﺍ)".

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(20) Sayyidina Abu Razin Uqayli (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, the dream of the believer is a part of the forty parts of Prophet Hood. It is at the feet of a bird as long as he does not speak about it. When be speaks about it, it settles". The narrator thought that the Prophet (SAW) said, "Talk not about it except to an intelligent person or to a friend".

(Jami Tirmidhi , Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani )

(21) Sayyidina Abu Razin Uqayli (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, "A Muslim's dream is a part of the forty six parts of Prophet Hood. It is on the foot of a bird as long as he does not relate it. But when he relates it, it settles".

(Jami Tirmidhi , Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani )

(22) Sayyidina Abu Huraira (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "As the time draws near, the dream of a believer will not be false and the truest dream will be of one who is truest in speech. And, the dream of the Muslim is a portion of the forty-six portions of Prophet Hood. And dreams are of three kinds: good dreams are glad tidings from Allah, sad dreams are from the devil and there are dreams about what man experiences with himself. So, when one of you sees a dream that he does not like then he must stand up and spit (out to a side) and he must not mention it to the people". He also said, "I love to see a chain in my dream because the noblest fetters are to be steadfast in religion and I hate the fetters in the neck".

(Jami Tirmidhi)

(23) Sayyidina Anas ibn Malik (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger said, "Indeed, messenger ship and Prophet Hood have ceased. So, there is no Messenger after me and no Prophet (SAW)". That seemed hard on the people. So he added, "But the mubashirat (glad tidings)". The sahabah said, "O Messenger of Allah, (SAW) and what are the mubashirat (glad tidings)?" He said, "Dreams of a Muslim and they are a portion of the portions of Prophet Hood".

(Jami Tirmidhi, Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani)

(24) Sayyidina Abu Sa'eed reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, 'The truest of dreams are those seen a little before dawn'.

(Jami Tirmidhi , Classified as Da'eef by Al-Albani)

(25) Sayyidina Abdullah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, "He who sees me in a dream has indeed seen me, for the devil does not take up my appearance".

(Jami Tirmidhi , Classified as Da'eef by Al-Albani)

(26) Narrated Abu Qatada: The Prophet said, "A good dream is from Allah, and a bad dream is from Satan. So whoever has seen (in a dream) something he dislike, then he should spit without saliva, thrice on his left and seek refuge with Allah from Satan, for it will not harm him, and Satan cannot appear in my shape ."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(27) Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever sees me in a dream will see me in his wakefulness, and Satan cannot imitate me in shape." Abu 'Abdullah said, "Ibn Sirin said, 'Only if he sees the Prophet in his (real) shape.'"

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(28) Narrated Abu Qatada: The Prophet said, "Whoever sees me (in a dream) then he indeed has seen the truth."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(29) Abu Huraira reported: I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who saw me in a dream would soon see me in the state of wakefulness, or as if he saw me in a state of wakefulness, for the satan does not appear in my form.

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(30) Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who saw me in sleep in fact saw me, for it is not possible for the satan to appear in my form; and he also said: When any one of you sees a hulm (dream) he should not inform anyone, for it is a sort of vain sport of devil in the state of sleep.

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(31) Narrated Abu Salama: I used to see a dream which would make me sick till I heard Abu Qatada saying, "I too, used to see a dream which would make me sick till I heard the Prophet saying, "A good dream is from Allah, so if anyone of you saw a dream which he liked, he should not tell it to anybody except to the one whom he loves, and if he saw a dream which he disliked, then he should seek refuge with Allah from its evil and from the evil of Satan, and spit three times (on his left) and should not tell it to anybody, for it will not harm him. "

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

(32) Abu Qatada reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A good vision is from Allah and a bad dream (hulm) is from the satan; so if one of you sees anything in a dream which he dislikes, he should spit on his left side thrice and seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and then it will never harm him. Abu Salama said: I used to see dreams weighing more heavily upon me than a mountain; but since I heard this hadith I don't care for it (its burden).

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(33) Abu Salama reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I used to see dreams, but the hadith transmitted on the authority of Laith b. Nu'man, the words of Abu Salama at the concluding part of the hadith are not mentioned. Ibn Rumh has reported in the hadith: "He (one who sleeps) should change the side on which he had been lying before."

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(34) Abu Qatada reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The good vision are from Allah and the evil dreams are from the satan. If one sees a dream which one does not like, one should spit on one's left side and seek the refuge of Allah from the satan; it will not do one any harm, and one should not disclose it to anyone and if one sees a good vision one should feel pleased but should not disclose it to anyone but whom one loves.

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(35) Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When the time draws near (when the Resurrection is near) a believer's dream can hardly be false. And the truest vision will be of one who is himself the most truthful in speech, for the vision of a Muslim is the forty-fifth part of Prophecy, and dreams are of three types: one good dream which is a sort of good tidings from Allah; the evil dream which causes pain is from the satan; and the third one is a suggestion of one's own mind; so if any one of you sees a dream which he does not like he should stand up and offer prayer and he should not relate it to people.

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(36) Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There came to him (the Holy Prophet) a desert Arab and said: I saw in a dream that I had been beheaded and I had been following it (the severed head). Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) reprimanded him saying: Do not inform about the vain sporting of devil with you during the night.

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(37) Samura b. Jundab reported that when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had performed his dawn prayer he turned his face towards them (that is towards his Companions) and said: Did any one of you see any vision last night?

(Sahih Al Muslim)

(38) Narrated ibn e Abbas that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "O People! Nothing is left from the Prophethood except good dreams which a Muslim sees or someone sees for him "

(Sunan ibn e Majah)

(39) Narrated Abu Dharr that Prophet Muhammad said: "… True dream is 46th part of prophet-hood, it should be mentioned in front of someone you love or a wise person"

(Sunan ibn e Majah)

(40) Hazrat Anas bin Malik narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said: "Interpret dreams after knowing one's name and kunyah, and dream happens according to the first interpretation"

(Sunan ibn e Majah, Classified as Da'eef by al-Albani)

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Topic of Dreams in the Qur'an

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

Posted by Mohammad Awais Tahir 

This is a list of Ayaat of Holy Qur'an and the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW. This set of references will aid us in understanding the subject of dreams better. This set of references has been collected in order to understand better how to differentiate between the different types of dreams.

The Main article can be found here:

Differentiating Between Dreams from Allah, Shaitan and Nafs

Topic of Dreams in the Holy Qur'an

(1) Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve; Those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil;- For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme felicity.

(Surah Younus 10:64)

For the explanation of bolded portion see Reference # 11 {It means good dreams that a Muslim sees or is shown them}

(2) Behold! Joseph said to his father: "O my father! I did see eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrate themselves to me." He said: O my son! do not relate your vision to your brothers, lest they devise a plan against you; surely the Shaitan is an open enemy to man. And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of sayings and make His favor complete to you and to the children of Yaqoub, as He made it complete before to your fathers, Ibrahim and Ishaq; surely your Lord is Knowing, Wise.

(Surah Yusuf 12:4-6)
 

(3) Now with him there came into the prison two young men. Said one of them: "I see myself (in a dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I see myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating, thereof." "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and meaning thereof: for we see thou art one that doth good (to all)." He said: "Before any food comes (in due course) to feed either of you, I will surely reveal to you the truth and meaning of this ere it befall you: that is part of the (duty) which my Lord hath taught me. I have (I assure you) abandoned the ways of a people that believe not in Allah and that (even) deny the Hereafter.

(Surah Yusuf 12:36-37)
 

(4) The king (of Egypt) said: "I do see (in a vision) seven fat kine, whom seven lean ones devour, and seven green ears of corn, and seven (others) withered. O ye chiefs! Expound to me my vision if it be that ye can interpret visions." They said: "A confused medley of dreams (مﻼﺣا ثﺎﻐﺿا ): and we are not skilled in the interpretation of dreams."

(Surah Yusuf 12:43-44)

(5) Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

(Surah As Saafaat 37:102)

(6) So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him one of Our messengers."

(Surah Al Qasas 28:7)

(7) "Behold! We sent to thy mother, by inspiration, the message: "'Throw (the child) into the chest, and throw (the chest) into the river: the river will cast him up on the bank, and he will be taken up by one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him': But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me: and (this) in order that thou mayest be reared under Mine eye.

(Surah Taha 20:38-39)

(8) And remember when ye met, He showed them to you as few in your eyes, and He made you appear as contemptible in their eyes: that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted. For to Allah do all questions go back (for decision).

(Surah Al Anfaal 8:44)

(9) Truly did Allah fulfil the vision for His Messenger: ye shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short, and without fear. For He knew what ye knew not, and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory.

(Surah Al Fath 28:47)

(10) It is He who doth take your souls by night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day: by day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the end unto Him will be your return; then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.

(Surah Al An'aam 6:60)

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