Can we seek interpretation of dreams?
Yes, seeking interpretation of dreams is indeed permitted in Islam. This is supported by examples from the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In Surah Yusuf, we see two young men in prison who approached Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) with their dreams, asking for interpretation. One of them said, I dreamed that I was pressing wine. The other said: I dreamed that I was carrying upon my head bread whereof the birds were eating. Announce unto us the interpretation, for we see thee of those good (at interpretation)
12:36. This interaction illustrates not only the practice of seeking dream interpretations but also highlights Joseph's reputation for being skilled in this area.
Moreover, Ibn Kathir explains that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of interpreting dreams. He mentioned that a dream is like a bird in the hand of a traveler; it does not come to pass until it is interpreted. Once interpreted, it will surely occur. This highlights the belief that the interpretation of dreams is significant and can affect their eventual realization (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Similarly, the Shia tradition also recognizes the significance of dream interpretation. Majma al-Bayan notes that the ability to interpret dreams is considered a virtue and a skill among those who practice it, further emphasizing its importance in understanding messages conveyed through dreams (Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an).
Therefore, both the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet encourage individuals to seek interpretations of their dreams, especially from those who are knowledgeable and skilled in this area.
Sources
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12:36 · Yusuf
12:36 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَدَخَلَ مَعَهُ ٱلسِّجْنَ فَتَيَانِ ۖ قَالَ أَحَدُهُمَآ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰنِىٓ أَعْصِرُ خَمْرًۭا ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْءَاخَرُ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰنِىٓ أَحْمِلُ فَوْقَ رَأْسِى خُبْزًۭا تَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّيْرُ مِنْهُ ۖ نَبِّئْنَا بِتَأْوِيلِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّا نَرَىٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And two young men went to prison with him. One of them said: I dreamed that I was pressing wine. The other said: I dreamed that I was carrying upon my head bread whereof the birds were eating. Announce unto us the interpretation, for we see thee of those good (at interpretation).
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 12:36
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 12:36
Qatada said that the two men mentioned were the king’s wine-pourer and his baker. Muhammad ibn Ishaq named the wine-pourer “Nabawa” and the baker “Majlath.” As-Suddi explained that the reason the king imprisoned them was because he suspected they had attempted to poison his food and drink. Joseph (peace be upon him), during his time in prison, was known for his generosity, trustworthiness, truthful speech, good conduct, frequent worship, and kindness toward the prisoners. He visited their sick and fulfilled their rights. When these two young men came to prison, they became close to him and loved him deeply, telling him, “By God, we have grown very fond of you.” Joseph replied, “May God bless both of you. No one has loved me without harm coming from their love. My aunt loved me, and through her, harm came; my father loved me, and through him, I was hurt; the wife of Al-Aziz loved me, and the same occurred.” The two said, “By God, we can only love you.” Then the two men each saw a dream. The wine-pourer saw himself pressing wine—meaning grapes—and according to Abdullah ibn Mas’ud’s recitation, he said, “I see myself pressing grapes.” This reading was also reported by Ibn Abi Hatim, from Ahmad ibn Sinan through multiple chains of narration. Ad-Dahhak explained that when the verse says “I am pressing wine,” it means grapes, since the people of Amman called grapes “wine.” Ikrimah also recounted the dream: he saw that he planted a vine, which grew and produced clusters. He then pressed these and gave the juice to the king, explaining that the wine-pourer spent three days in prison before going to serve the king’s wine. The baker’s dream was that he carried bread on his head from which birds ate, and he asked Joseph to explain the meaning because they regarded Joseph as among the righteous. The commonly accepted interpretation is that both men dreamed these dreams and sought explanation. Ibn Jarir narrated that Ibn Waki‘ and Ibn Humayd told him from Jarir, from ‘Umara ibn Al-Qa‘qa‘, from Ibrahim, from Abdullah, that the two men did not actually see these dreams but only imagined them to test Joseph.
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