Question:
Asslamaualaikum, what does Islam teach us about seeing our loved ones who have passed away in dreams? If in the dream they specifically said that they were not dead but just lost but they found their way back, as in the dream the person was reuniting with his wife and one of his daughters… …Jazakhallah Khair for any knowledge on this
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The science of interpreting dreams is an intricate one that requires the interpreter to have in depth knowledge of the different sciences of Dīn. Generally, dreams do not materialise in reality as exactly seen in one’s sleep. They tend to hold a hidden meaning which needs correct interpretation in light of the Qur’ān and Hadīth. This is why it is not everybody’s job to interpret dreams. The mere knowledge of the different factors that indicate towards the truth of a dream is not sufficient for one to interpret a dream.
Types of dreams – Abu Qatadah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said that there are three types of dreams.
Firstly; dreams that are constituted from one’s thoughts and imagination. There is no interpretation for suchd reams.
Secondly; dreams from Shaytan— if anyone sees art unpleasant dream of this nature, he should seek refuge in Allah against Shaytan and he should spit thrice to his left side. He will be saved from any possible harm.
Thirdly; dreams from Allah, which constitute glad tidings for a believer. Upon seeing such a dream, one should narrate it to a learned person who could interpret it favourably.
Caution must be observed when narrating a dream to someone. It should only be interpreted by an Aalim who has the knowledge of interpreting dreams. Consider the Hadith,
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” الرُّؤْيَا عَلَى رِجْلِ طَائِرٍ مَا لَمْ تُعَبَّرْ فَإِذَا عُبِّرَتْ وَقَعَتْ ” . قَالَ وَأَحْسِبُهُ قَالَ ” وَلاَ يَقُصُّهَا إِلاَّ عَلَى وَادٍّ أَوْ ذِي رَأْىٍ ”
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The vision (dream) flutters over a man as long as it is not interpreted , but when it is interpreted, it takes place as interpreted. And I think he said: Tell it only to one who loves or one who has proper judgment. (Sunan Abi Dawud 5020)
Further, interpretations of dreams differ from person to person. It is not merely the nature of the dream and its contents that are sufficient for an interpretation. More importantly, those who are learned in the field of interpreting dreams have to consider the Deeni condition of the person who has seen the dream and relate the contents of the dream to his condition in order to give an interpretation. Whilst two people may have seen the exact same dream, there is high possibility that the interpretations of both persons be very much different.
Whilst ‘Ulama have outlined certain scenarios of dreams and their interpretations, it is not necessary that a dream of that nature always holds that particular meaning. From general experience and knowledge ‘Ulama may have interpreted a certain type of dream in a specific manner, they have also specified that such interpretations are variable.
In the time of The Prophet Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam, he used to interpret the dreams of the Sahabah himself. This can be understood from the Ahadith,
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ مِمَّا يَقُولُ لأَصْحَابِهِ “ مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ رُؤْيَا فَلْيَقُصَّهَا أَعْبُرْهَا لَهُ ”
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to say to his Companions: He who amongst you sees a vision should narrate it and I would interpret it for him. )Sahih Muslim 2269(
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ أُتِيتُ بِقَدَحِ لَبَنٍ، فَشَرِبْتُ مِنْهُ، حَتَّى إِنِّي لأَرَى الرِّيَّ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَطْرَافِي، فَأَعْطَيْتُ فَضْلِي عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ”. فَقَالَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ فَمَا أَوَّلْتَ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ” الْعِلْمَ ”.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “While I was sleeping, I was given a bowl full of milk (in the dream) and I drank from it (to my fill) till I noticed its wetness coming out of my limbs. Then I gave the rest of it to `Umar bin Al-Khattab.” The persons sitting around him, asked, “What have you interpreted (about the dream) O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He said, “(It is religious) knowledge.” )Sahih al-Bukhari 7008(
Do not relate bad dreams – Abu Qatadah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that when anyone sees a baddream he should not relate it to anyone.—Sahih Bukhari
Jabir Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said:’ When anyone of you sees a bad dream he should spit thrice to his left side and he should recite Istiazah (A ‘awoodu Billahi min Ashaytaan nir Rajeem) thrice.’: Sahih Muslim
The following etiquettes should be observed upon seeing a bad dream: When you see any frightening dream, one should seek protection from Allah, spit lightly in the left direction and recite لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله . One should refrain from discussing it with anyone.
As far as your particular dream, there may not be any specific meaning behind it. Generally, dreaming anything about death conscientizes one of death in order to make the necessary preparation for the long and arduous journey to the hereafter. If the father did not die as a Muslim, then unfortunately it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for a non Muslim nor do good deeds on their behalf.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
