Dreams and Visions

The Qur’an says, “For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there
in the words of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.” (Yunus 10: 64)
Many of the Mufasryn (Qur’an Commentators) said that the good tidings in the worldly life are dreams
and visions. For example, In Kathir in his commentary said, “For them are good tidings in the worldly life
and in the Hereafter. He said: ‘The good vision is seen by the believer in a dream or given to him’.”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
In his book about dream interpretations Ibn Qutaybah Al-Dinawari says, “There is nothing in which
people deal with from the different sciences that is more obscure, delicate, exalted, noble, difficult and
problematic than dreams because they are a type of revelation and type of Prophethood.”
Anas bin Malik narrated Allah’s Messenger said, “A good dream (that comes true) of a righteous man is
one of forty-six parts of prophet hood.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
There are 3 types of dreams: Imam AL-Tirmidhi narrates from Muhammad Ibn Sirin who narrates from
Abu Hurairah that Prophet said, “There are three types of dreams: 1) True Dreams 2) A dream in which a
person is speaking to himself (i.e. whatever you were thinking about in the day time, you see at night) 3)
A dream from Satan (Shaytaan) in which he wants to make you sad”.
Within dreams that come from Allah, there are two categories. Ibn Battal said, “Dreams are of two
types: a clear evident dream like somebody would dream about himself giving dates to someone and
during the day time he would give somebody dates. This type of dream does not need any
interpretation. Secondly, a dream that comes in symbols and this type you would understand its
meaning unless you get it interpreted by a person who has knowledge and experience dream
interpretation because sometimes the symbols are very delicate and sophisticated.”
Even we see a clear direction in the Hadith of sharing a good dream with others, but bad dreams should
not be shared, Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri reported: The Prophet said, “If anyone of you sees a dream that he
likes, then it is from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and narrate it to others; but if he sees
something else, i.e., a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Satan, and he should seek refuge with Allah
from its evil, and he should not mention it to anybody, for it will not harm him.” [Sahih Muslim]
True dreams increase towards the end of times. Ibn Sirin said, “I heard Abu Hurairah saying, ‘Prophet
said, “When Time approaches, the dream of the believer rarely would lie.’” [Sahih Al-Bukhari].
Ibn Abi Jamrah says,” The reason why the believer sees true dreams at the time is because the believer
will be ghareeb (stranger) as was mentioned in the hadith, ‘Islam began as something strange and it will
return to the way it began being strange’ so give glad tidings to the strangers.”
Abed Allah ibn Umar reported that some people were shown dreams in the Night of Power (Laylat Al
Qadr) the last seven days (of the month of Ramadan). The Prophet said, “I see that your dreams
strengthen each other that Night of Qadr is in the last seven nights of Ramadhan so whoever searches
for it, would search for it in the last seven days (of Ramadan).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Therefore, Allah is speaking today through dreams and visions for we are living in the end of times, and
the whole world is going through difficult times.
Dreams and visions were Allah’s direct way of communicating with people both in the Tawrat and Injil.
The Tawrat and Injil speak about the prophecy that Allah will talk to people in the last days through
dreams and visions.
We read in the Tawrat, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions” (Tawrat, Joel 2:28).
The Injil says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all
flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall
dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
and they shall prophesy” (Injil, Acts 2: 17-18).
So, if you have a dream from God don’t be afraid sharing it with us.
Allah is speaking today through dreams and visions. When we understand the true interpretations of
these dreams, we can live according to His purpose. He may be speaking to you right now. What is your
response? Seeking to understand the nature and purpose of your dream is very important. We are
committed to helping you understanding your God-given dream(s).