Animals
Dreaming of a crocodile in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, the crocodile may represent a policeman, an unjust and treacherous merchant, an enemy, or hardships; seeing it in the sea or on land is inauspicious. If it is dragged onto dry land, the dreamer overcomes his enemy or rival and takes his money.
A summary of the passages quoted below. These are authors’ interpretations, not a prediction: a dream is understood through the dreamer and all its details.
What the interpretation books say
al-Nabulusi — Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Taʿbīr al-Manām
رؤيته تدل في المنام على شرطي لأنه شر ما في البحر لا يأمنه عدو ولا صديق وهو خائن ويدل أيضا على التاجر الظالم الخائن
Seeing it in a dream indicates a policeman, for it is the worst thing in the sea: neither enemy nor friend is safe from it, and it is treacherous. It also indicates an unjust and treacherous merchant.
والتمساح في المنام تدل رؤيته على الفسق والتحرم والخوف والنكد من وقوف الريح أو من قطاع الطرق وربما دلت رؤيته على مسخ العمر بسبب الغرق ولا خير في رؤيته في البحر وربما كان عدوا مخذولا ولا في البر لحلوله في غير محله وأنه لا يعيش فيه.
Seeing a crocodile in a dream indicates debauchery, what is forbidden, fear, and distress caused by the wind’s stillness or by highwaymen. Its vision may also indicate a life cut short by drowning. There is nothing good in seeing it in the sea; it may be a defeated enemy. There is nothing good in seeing it on land either, where it is out of its element and cannot live.
وإن رأى أنه جر التمساح إلى البر فإنه يظفر بعدوه أو غريمه ويأخذ ماله منه.
If he sees that he has dragged the crocodile onto dry land, he overcomes his enemy or rival and takes his money from him.
Keep in mind
- An interpretation is a human effort: Abu Bakr himself was partly wrong before the Prophet ﷺ. (al-Bukhari 7046 and Muslim 2269)
- Appearances deceive: an unpleasant-looking dream may be interpreted as good, and vice versa. (al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 15/18)
- A dream is not a fatwa: make no serious decision on its strength alone. (al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 1/115)
If this dream upset you: what the Sunnah asks
The Prophet ﷺ taught that an unpleasant dream comes from Satan, and that it does not harm the one who does the following. (al-Bukhari 7045 · al-Bukhari 3292)
Seek Allah’s protection, three times
Against the evil of this dream and against Satan. The wording given by al-Nawawi: “aʿūdhu billāhi mina sh-shayṭāni wa min sharrihā” — I seek refuge with Allah from Satan and from the evil of this dream. (al-Bukhari 7044 · Muslim 2262 · al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 15/18)
Blow lightly three times to your left
The narrations say “blow” (nafth), “spit lightly” (tafl) or “spit” (basq): a light breath, to drive Satan away. (Muslim 2261 · al-Bukhari 7044 · Muslim 2262)
Turn over onto your other side
Change the side you were sleeping on. (Muslim 2262)
Get up and pray
If you can; al-Nawawi recommends two units of prayer (rakʿa). (Muslim 2263 · al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 15/18)
Tell no one about it
Neither recount it nor seek to have it interpreted. A Bedouin dreamt that his head was cut off; the Prophet ﷺ told him: “Do not tell of how Satan toys with you in your sleep.” (al-Bukhari 7045 · Muslim 2263 · Muslim 2268 · al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 15/18)
“It will not harm him”: that is the promise of the hadith. Al-Nawawi adds that doing only some of these acts is enough, by Allah’s leave. (al-Bukhari 7045 · al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim 15/18)
Related symbols
- SnakeIn both books the snake stands first for an enemy, whose strength matches the animal’s size and venom; killing it means prevailing over that enemy.
- SeaThe sea stands for a king or anyone with authority over people; seeing it means obtaining what one hoped for. Swimming means overcoming an opponent; walking on water, firm faith.
- FishFresh, plentiful fish is, for both books, wealth gained like spoils; small fish are worries. Fishing in water announces pleasing news.
All the symbols in the dictionary