Are dreams real? What does Islam say about this?
In Islam, dreams are recognized as significant phenomena that can carry meaning. The Qur'an discusses the interpretation of dreams, particularly in the story of Prophet Joseph (Yusuf). In Surah Yusuf, when Joseph interprets the dreams of the king's servants, they acknowledge their inability to understand dreams, saying, Jumbled dreams! And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams.
12:44. Joseph, however, demonstrates his ability to interpret dreams as a gift from Allah, suggesting that dreams can indeed convey messages or insights.
Various hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further elaborate on the nature of dreams. The Prophet taught that dreams can be categorized into three types: those that are glad tidings from Allah, those that arise from a person's thoughts, and nightmares that come from Satan. He stated, When the time approaches, the believer's dream is seldom false. A believer's dream is part of forty-six parts of prophethood
Sahih al-Bukhari 91:34. This indicates that dreams can serve as a form of divine communication, particularly for believers.
Additionally, Shia sources also emphasize the importance of dreams. The hadith in Al-Kafi states that the dream of a believer fluctuates between heaven and earth over the head of its possessor until it is interpreted
Al-Kafi 1:530. This highlights the belief that dreams have a potential connection to prophetic insight and should be treated with respect.
Overall, Islam teaches that dreams can be real in the sense that they can carry meanings or messages, and interpreting them correctly can provide guidance or insight into various aspects of life.
Sources
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12:44 · Yusuf
12:44 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَٰثُ أَحْلَٰمٍۢ ۖ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحْلَٰمِ بِعَٰلِمِينَ
They answered: Jumbled dreams! And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 91:34
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 91, Hadith 34 · Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When the time approaches, the believer's dream is seldom false. A believer's dream is part of forty-six parts of prophethood, and what belongs to prophethood cannot be false." Then it was said that dreams are of three kinds: self-talk, frightening from Satan, and glad tidings from Allah. Whoever sees something he dislikes should not relate it to anyone, should get up and pray. He disliked wrestling during sleep and liked the chain, which was said to be firmness in religion. Qatada, Yunus, Hisham and Abu Hilal narrated from Ibn Sirin from Abu Huraira from the Prophet (ﷺ). Some included all in this hadith and the hadith of Auf clarified it. Yunus said, 'I do not think it was except from the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding the chain.' Abu Abdullah said, 'Chains are only around the necks.'"
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Al-Kafi 1:530
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 530
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'I advise the witness from my nation, those absent from them, and those in the loins of men and kinship of women until the Day of Resurrection, to maintain kinship even if it is at a journey of a year, for that is part of the religion.' — OR — The Messenger of Allah used to say: The dream of a believer fluctuates between heaven and earth over the head of its possessor until it is interpreted by himself or by someone like him. Once it is interpreted, it becomes settled on earth firmly. Therefore, do not narrate your dreams except to one who is reasonable.
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