Dreams have always held a special place in Islamic spirituality and tradition. In fact, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spoke frequently about dreams—how to interpret them, how to respond to them, and how to distinguish between different types.
For Muslims, dreams are not just nighttime visions. They can be signs, lessons, or even a form of communication. But what exactly did the Prophet say about them?
Let’s explore the sayings (ahadith) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on dreams, based on authentic sources like Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and other Hadith collections.
🌙 1. Types of Dreams in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clearly explained that not all dreams are the same. According to an authentic hadith:
“Dreams are of three types: a righteous dream which is glad tidings from Allah; the dream which causes sadness is from Shaytan; and a dream from what a person thinks about while he is awake.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2263)
This Hadith tells us that dreams come from three sources:
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Righteous dreams from Allah — these may include visions, signs, or symbolic messages.
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Disturbing dreams from Shaytan — nightmares or false fears meant to confuse or scare the believer.
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Personal thoughts — reflections of one’s daily life, stress, or desires.
This classification helps Muslims understand and manage their dreams appropriately.
💭 2. The Status of True Dreams
The Prophet ﷺ described true dreams as a form of divine inspiration, especially in the absence of prophethood. He said:
“Nothing of the Prophethood is left except glad tidings.”
They asked, “What are glad tidings?”
He replied, “True dreams.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6989)
These “true dreams” (ru’ya ṣāliḥa) are seen as one of the 46 parts of Prophethood, meaning they carry spiritual weight. Such dreams may come to pious individuals as a way to strengthen faith, offer warnings, or deliver glad news.
However, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized that these dreams must align with Islamic teachings and should not contradict the Qur’an or Sunnah.
🛑 3. Etiquette Regarding Dreams
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also gave clear guidance on how to respond to dreams:
✔️ If the dream is good:
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Praise Allah
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Share it only with those you trust
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Avoid publicizing it unnecessarily
“If one of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah, so let him praise Allah for it and speak about it…”
(Sahih Muslim)
❌ If the dream is bad:
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Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan
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Spit lightly to the left (three times)
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Do not talk about it to anyone
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Perform prayer or change sleeping position
“If anyone of you sees a dream he dislikes, let him blow to his left side three times and seek refuge with Allah from Satan, for it will not harm him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This wisdom protects the believer from fear, superstition, and false interpretations.
🌌 Conclusion: A Sacred Window into the Unseen
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ treated dreams with both reverence and caution. He taught that while some dreams can be signs from Allah, others may simply be illusions or tricks from Shaytan. His guidance reminds Muslims to stay balanced, not obsessed, and always grounded in Islamic teachings.
So the next time you wake up from a powerful or puzzling dream, remember the words of the Prophet ﷺ. Reflect on the message, act upon the etiquette, and always seek Allah’s guidance before drawing any conclusions.
