What is a Dream in Islam?
Duas for Good and Bad Dreams and What to Read When You Wake Up at Night
What is a Dream? An Islamic Perspective
Every human being sees dreams. Sometimes we see a good dream and our heart becomes happy, and sometimes we see a bad dream and we get scared and our sleep gets disturbed. In Islam, dreams have been given great importance. A dream is not just a result of thoughts, but it has a deep connection with our Deen.
Understanding the reality of dreams in the light of Quran and Hadith is necessary for every Muslim. Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him has explained in detail about dreams.
From an Islamic point of view, there are three types of dreams.
The first type is called Khwab-e-Saleh or a true dream. This is from Allah. It is also called Mubashshirat or glad tidings. It is said to be the 46th part of Prophethood. Such a dream often comes close to the morning and in it a person feels happiness. In this dream there is good news or guidance from Allah. Like the dream of Prophet Yusuf Alaihi Salam which is mentioned in the Quran.
The second type is Khwab-e-Shaitani or a bad dream. This bad dream is from Shaitan. Its purpose is to frighten a person, to make him worried and sad. In such a dream, a person sees scary things, falling down, dying, or some frightening faces. Such a dream has no real meaning, it is only a trick of Shaitan.
The third type is Khwab-e-Nafsani. This comes because of a person's own thoughts, daily work and desires. Whatever we think during the day, whatever work we do, the same appears in the dream at night. For example, if someone sleeps hungry, he sees food in his dream, if someone is thinking about a journey, he sees a journey. This dream also has no special interpretation.
The importance of dreams can also be understood from the fact that Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him used to ask his companions after Fajr prayer if anyone had seen a dream. If someone had seen it, he would explain its interpretation.
Some Important Rules About Dreams
Not every dream should be told to everyone. Especially a bad dream should not be told. A good dream should be told to sincere friends and wise people who can give a good interpretation. A bad dream should not be told to anyone.
Interpretation of dreams is a field of knowledge. Not everyone can tell its interpretation. Hazrat Ibn Seerin Rahmatullah Alaih was a great scholar of this knowledge. An ordinary person should not interpret every dream by himself.
One should thank Allah after seeing a good dream and should seek refuge in Allah after seeing a bad dream.
What to Read After Seeing a Good Dream
When you see a good dream, in which you feel happiness and peace in your heart, then this is a reward from Allah. At such a time, you should do these things.
First of all, thank Allah. Say Alhamdulillah in your heart.
Secondly, tell this dream to those people whom you love and who wish well for you. Do not tell everyone, otherwise there is a danger of jealousy.
Thirdly, you should be happy about this dream and hope for its goodness from Allah.
For this occasion, there is no specific fixed dua in Quran and Hadith with these exact words that you should read after seeing a good dream, but as a form of thanks you can say: Alhamdulillahil ladhi bi ni'matihi tatimmus salihat. Translation: All praise is for Allah by whose blessing good deeds are completed.
What to Read After Seeing a Bad Dream
Seeing a bad dream is a common thing. One should not be afraid of it. Shaitan wants the believer to be afraid. The solution is told in Hadith.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Qatada Razi Allahu Anhu that Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him said: A good dream is from Allah and a bad dream is from Shaitan. When someone sees a bad dream, he should spit lightly three times on his left side and seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan three times.
For this you should do this amal:
1. Read Auzu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem three times and spit lightly on your left side three times. Spitting means blowing air with a little sound of thoo, it is not necessary to spit actual saliva.
2. Change your side. If you saw the bad dream lying on your right side, then turn to the left side.
3. If possible, get up, perform wudu and pray two rakats of prayer.
4. Do not tell this dream to anyone. Do not ask for its interpretation. InshaAllah no harm will come from this dream.
This dua for protection from a bad dream comes in Hadith: Auzu Billahi Min Sharri Ma Ra'aitu. Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what I have seen in the dream.
Another dua is this which every Muslim should read before sleeping to stay protected from bad dreams: Allahumma Inni Auzu Bika Min Sharri Ma Ra'aitu Wa Min Sharri Ma Lam Ara. Translation: O Allah I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have seen and from the evil of what I have not seen.
Dua Before Sleeping to Avoid Bad Dreams
If you want that you should not have bad dreams and you should have a peaceful sleep, then you should follow the Sunnah and duas before sleeping.
Sleep with wudu. This is Sunnah and Shaitan stays away because of it.
Read Ayatul Kursi before sleeping. It is in Hadith that whoever reads Ayatul Kursi before sleeping, Allah appoints an angel for his protection and Shaitan does not come near him till morning.
Read Surah Falaq and Surah Naas three times each, blow on your hands and wipe over your whole body. This is also the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him.
Reading Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, Surah Naas, these three Surahs is a means of protection.
Read the sleeping dua: Allahumma Bismika Amutu Wa Ahya. Translation: O Allah in Your name I die and I live.
Or this dua: Bismika Allahumma Amutu Wa Ahya.
What to Read When You Suddenly Wake Up at Night
Many people wake up at night during sleep. Sometimes because of anxiety, sometimes because of some sound. Islam has also taught a beautiful dua for this occasion. This time is also a time of acceptance of dua.
It is narrated from Hazrat Ubada Bin Samit Razi Allahu Anhu that Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him said: Whoever wakes up at night and reads this dua, then asks Allah for forgiveness or asks for any dua, his dua is accepted. If he performs wudu and prays, his prayer is accepted.
That dua is: La Ilaha Illallahu Wahdahu La Sharika Lahu, Lahul Mulku Wa Lahul Hamdu, Wa Huwa Ala Kulli Shai'in Qadeer, Subhanallahi Walhamdulillahi Wa La Ilaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Wa La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billahil Aliyil Azeem, Rabbighfirli.
Translation: There is no god but Allah, He is alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the kingdom and to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over all things, Glory be to Allah, and all praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, O my Lord forgive me.
After reading this dua, whatever permissible dua you ask, InshaAllah it will be accepted. Therefore, this dua should be memorized.
If you intend to sleep again after waking up at night, then again perform wudu and sleep with the remembrance of Allah.
Misconceptions About Dreams
Nowadays people ask for interpretation of every dream on the internet or from everyone. This is not correct. Not every dream interpretation is correct. Being worried after seeing a dream and thinking about it all the time is not correct.
Some people see a bad dream and think that now something bad will happen to them. This is not the case. It is clearly stated in Hadith that a bad dream is from Shaitan and if you do not tell it and seek refuge, then no harm will come from it.
Some people get scared after seeing dead people in their dreams. There is nothing to be afraid of in this. If the dead person appears in a good condition, then it is good. If he appears in trouble, then you should do Isal-e-Sawab and pray for his forgiveness.
Final Words
A dream is also a sign from Allah and also a test. The job of a believer is to thank Allah for a good dream, to be patient for a bad dream and seek refuge in Allah.
Make your sleep according to Sunnah. Sleep early after Isha prayer, sleep with wudu, sleep after reading the sleeping duas, then InshaAllah you will have a peaceful sleep and you will be protected from bad dreams.
May Allah Ta'ala grant us all to see good dreams and protect us from the evil of bad dreams. Ameen.
You can also watch our YouTube videos on this topic in which we have taught duas in detail.
