Fiqh of Dream Interpretation Class 2 (24/7/16) Why is it important to learn the Fiqh of Dream Interpretation? -> It is related to our Aqeedah (Creed). -> Many people see good dreams, and think it is not good, and live in distress because of it. And they may see bad dreams, not knowing it is bad and a warning for them, and rejoice because of it -> The Prophet ﷺ used to practice dream interpretation with the companions The Prophet ﷺ said: "الر ؤ ي ا الص ال ح ة ج ز ء م ن س ت ة و أ ر ب ع ين ج ز ء ا م ن الن ب و ة " "A good dream is a part of the forty six parts of prophetism." [Bukhari #6989] And there are other narrations which state other amounts (70 and 20 parts). Al-Albani said this depends on the rank of the believer. The higher his faith, the greater his share of Prophethood. Imam Malik was asked, "Can anyone interpret dreams?" To which he replied, "Is Prophethood played with?" As-Sa'di said that dream interpretation is a branch of religious knowledge and a kind of giving Fatwa. You are seeking a legal ruling when you seek dream interpretation. Will you to just go to anyone to get a Fatwa?
Examples of the Dreams in the Qur'an -> The Dream of Ibrahim عليه السالم in which he slaughtered his son In [37:102]: "And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah will), you shall find me of As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)." The dreams of the Prophets are considered an inspiration from Allah. That is why Ismaeel عليه السالم told his father to do that which he was commanded. -> The Dream of the Prophet ﷺ before the Battle of Badr In [8:43]: "(And remember) when Allah showed them to you as few in your (i.e. Muhammad's (ﷺ dream, if He had shown them to you as
many, you would surely have been discouraged, and you would surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allah saved (you). Certainly, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts." Allah made the Prophet ﷺ see the disbelievers as few before battle, in order to motivate the Muslims. > The Dream of the Prophet ﷺ before the Conquest of Makkah In [48:27]: "Indeed Allah shall fulfil the true vision which He showed to His Messenger ((ﷺ) [i.e. the Prophet ﷺ saw a dream that he has entered Makkah along with his companions, having their (head) hair shaved and cut short] in very truth. Certainly, you shall enter Al-Masjid-al-Haram; if Allah wills, secure, (some) having your heads shaved, and (some) having your head hair cut short, having no fear. He knew what you knew not, and He granted besides that a near victory." The Prophet ﷺ himself entering Makkah with the companions with shaved heads. And this was before the conquest of Makkah, in 8AH.
The Benefits of Good Dreams As-Sa'di said: It is a glad tidings for the believers, a warning, and a reminder for them. It awakens the heedless person. It is a plea against the disbelievers and the rebellious - Allah will make them see good dreams yet they will not give it any heed. The Prophet ﷺ said: Dreams are of Three Types إ ذ ا اق ت ر ب الز م ان ل م ت ك د ر ؤ ي ا ال م ؤ م ن ت ك ذ ب و أ ص د ق ه م ر ؤ ي ا أ ص د ق ه م ح د يث ا و ر ؤ ي ا ال م س ل م ج ز ء م ن س ت ة و أ ر ب ع ين ج ز ء ا م ن الن ب و ة و الر ؤ ي ا ث ال ث ف الر ؤ ي ا الص ال ح ة ب ش ر ى م ن للا و الر ؤ ي ا م ن ت ح ز ين الش ي ط ان و الر ؤ ي ا م م ا ي ح د ث ب ه ا الر ج ل ن ف س ه ف إ ذ ا ر أ ى أ ح د ك م م ا ي ك ر ه ف ل ي ق م و ل ي ت ف ل و ال ي ح د ث ب ه ا الن اس ق ال و أ ح ب ال ق ي د ف ي الن و م و أ ك ر ه ال غ ل ال ق ي د ث ب ات ف ي ال دي ن " "When the time draws near, the dreams of a believer will hardly ever fail to come true, and the most truthful of them in dreams will be the truest in speech among them. The dream of a Muslim is a portion among the forty-six portions of Prophet-hood. And dreams are of three types: The righteous dream which is good news from Allah, dreams in which the Shaithan frightens someone, and dreams about something that has happened to the man himself. So when one of you sees what he dislikes, then he should get up and spit, and not tell any of the people- he said:- and I like the fetters in a dream while I dislike the iron collar." And the interpretation of fetters is being firm in the religion". [Tirmithi]
"...When the time draws near, the dreams of a believer will hardly ever fail to come true..." The dreams will hardly be false at the end of times, because many calamities, killings will occur. The religious knowledge will be removed with the death of the Scholars. The believers at that time need a reminder to keep them firm on the right path, and it will come to them in the form of good dreams. "..and the most truthful of them in dreams will be the truest in speech among them..." The description of the person who has the truest dreams is the person who is truest in speech. In order for your dream to be true, you have to be truthful in your speech, in your dealings with people, in your behaviour, with Allah, with yourself. You will not know your dream is a true dream until it actually happens. However the Prophets could tell if their dream was true. True dreams are not an indication of righteousness. In the story of Yusuf, the king was not a believer and yet he had a true dream. But most dreams of the righteous are true. What is the difference between a good and true dream? -> Some scholars say there is no difference, they are all from Allah. -> Other scholars say that the true dream is that which occurs - whether good or not. Generally they are good. The good dreams could be a glad tidings from Allah, and it could be a warning/guidance from Allah. Warnings are good. This isn't a contradiction; They are all from Allah.
"...And dreams are of three types: The righteous dream which is good news from Allah, dreams in which the Shaithan frightens someone, and dreams about something that has happened to the man himself..." The dreams of the righteous are mostly true, but they can see evil dreams sometimes. It is because of their high faith that the Shaytan cannot overcome and play with them. Whereas those faith is weak, the Shaytan easily overcomes them and makes them see mixed dreams. Accordingly the people are of three ranks with regard to their dreams: 1) The ranks of the Prophets whose dreams are all true, and some of their dreams require interpretation. 2) Righteous People. Most of them are true, and some of them do not require interpretation. 3) The rest of the people. Their dreams are mixed - false, good, according to their state. And they are feather divided into three categories: a) Ordinary Muslims - they see good and bad b) Muslims but disobey Allah - most of their dreams are mixed, false dreams. c) Disbelievers - very rarely see true dreams Al-Asqalani] - Ibn Hajr فتح الباري شرح صحيح البخاري]