Good and Bad dreams in Islam: What does the Sunnah teach us?
Dreams are a natural part of everyday life. We might wake up in a happy mood after a pleasant dream or a nightmare may leave us afraid and anxious. Islam believes that not all dreams are the same and the Prophet Muhammad gave clear guidelines about how Muslims should react when they see a dream.
Muslims should avoid becoming over-reliant on dreams and a person should try not to assume that all dreams are showing us a sign or a special message. We must follow Islam by referring back to the Quran and the authentic Sunnah.
What do I do with a good dream?
A pleasant dream is of course pleasing and is even seen as a good omen for what is to come. The Quraan shows us an obvious example of how to behave through a dream relating to Prophet Yusef (Joseph).
The Prophet Ya'qub warned Yusef when he saw his dream:
"O my son! Narrate not your dream to your brothers, lest they devise a plot against you." The Quran 12:5
This showed us that you should be a little secretive with good dreams as other people may not share your positive opinion.
The Prophet Muhammad also guided us about good dreams. When you see a dream that makes you happy, thank Allah for it and a pleasing dream may be told to others.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6985
Another narration says that you may tell a trustworthy lover of you in a good dream.
Sahih al-Bukhari 7044
Thus, if you see a good dream, all you need to do is say "Alhumdullah" (Thank You Allah!) and if you wish to tell a person about your dream, it should be a person you trust and a person who is genuine about this fact.
What do I do with a bad dream?
Nightmares can sometimes lead to unneeded panic and distress. In Islam, we have a guideline not to panic and be frightened. The Prophet has explained that a bad dream comes from the Shaytan.
If a person sees a bad dream, they should ask for Allah's refuge and protection from the bad dream and from the Shaytan.
Then, spit three times to your left slightly, and do not tell anybody about the dream you have just witnessed.
Sahih al-Bukhari 7044; Sahih al-Bukhari 3292
Another hadith said that a person who has a bad dream can get up and pray and that they should not inform any person about the dream they have had.
Sahih Muslim 4200
Thus a bad dream is a simple concept to cope with. Call upon Allah for help and don't tell anyone about what you saw.
Not all dreams mean something!
Some may believe that every dream is unique and is showing us a special message but Islam does not necessarily operate this way. A persons dreams may sometimes simply be the result of having thought about an issue and a disturbing dream can be the result of an attempt by the Shaytan to scare you. For this reason, the dream may simply just be a strange and meaningless dream which does not require any specific interpretation. We should not make serious decisions purely based on what we see when we dream, and religion is based on Islamic knowledge, reason and advice based on Islam.
Could I potentially see the Prophet Muhammad in my Good and Bad Dreams in Islam: What Does the Sunnah Teach??
The Prophet Muhammad said: "Whoever sees me in a dream has indeed seen me, for Satan cannot appear in my form."
Sahih al- Bukhari 610, 6197
This hadith is often heard when people claim to see the Prophet Muhammad in their dreams. Another narration said: "Whoever sees me in a dream will see me upon waking."
Sahih al-Bukhari 6993
Although there is some narrations about seeing the Prophet Muhammad in your dream; we should not assume every person that we see who says he is the Prophet is in fact the Prophet. Dreams can be anything and not all visions that are made up can always be seen as what they seem. A muslim does not seek out the Prophet in their dreams and should use this teaching to help them remain firm on religious guidelines.
Can other people enter my dreams?
No one you see in your dream has necessarily entered into your personal dreams. For example if you are to see a friend in your dream; you might be having a conversation and them giving you help but they haven't really entered into your dream nor spoken to you, they simply don't know that the vision you just witnessed took place in your mind unless you tell them what happened. This means, if they saw you the next day; they do not know that they spoke to you or did you a service within the dreams. If there was something of importance they discussed, that should only be seen as a personal event.
Can dreams create new Sharia Law?
No. Dreams cannot create or set down new Sharia law, Islamic obligations or any other aspects regarding worship, fasting or any form of practice. A Muslims religion has to be based on the authentic Quran and Sunnah:
"This day, I have perfected for you your religion (Islam) and have completed My Favour upon you..."(Quran 5:3).
Thus any Muslim cannot interpret visions they believe the Prophet has sent them as forming Sharia law.
How should a muslim handle their dreams?
The most practical method for a muslim to handle dreams are in summary.
Be thankful for good dreams.
Tell people that you love only when you are certain they will have good feelings towards the content of the dream.
Ask Allah's protection when you see a bad dream.
Keep bad dreams to yourself.
Do not consider any dream to be of significance that they need investigating.
Do not set religious ruling upon dreams you encounter.
Refer to the Quraan and the Sunnah always when dealing with dreams.
Conclusion
Although good dreams and bad dreams might make you feel content or anxious at times, Islam brings us into a position whereby we can handle dreams correctly. The Prophet has taught us to appreciate and accept the positive news in good dreams without them making us look above others. Bad dreams are merely tests we overcome by relying on Allah, and never the main concern of many Muslims' lives.
Most importantly, no Muslim should allow dreams to overcome their fundamental beliefs or Islamic teachings.
What the Quran has taught us is always the main source and our understanding of religion should solely based on it and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.
When it comes to what is in the unseen, it is important to remember that we only know what Allah and His messenger have revealed to us and to make assumptions based on our own views is not accepted.
This is only for Islamic knowledge informations not for hurting others.
Allah knows best.