Animals
Dreaming of an elephant in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, the elephant may represent a foreign king or a high-ranking man; riding it may bring rank and authority, while seeing it without riding it portends loss. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin also gives these interpretations and associates an elephant’s threat with illness.
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
فمن ركب فيلا في المنام أو ملكه أو تحكم عليه اتصل بسلطان ونال منزلة سنية وعاش عمرا طويلا في عز ورفعة
[Whoever] rides an elephant in a dream, owns it, or takes control of it comes into contact with a ruler, attains a high rank, and lives a long life in glory and eminence.
فيلا ولم يركبه نال نقصانا في نفسه وخسرانا في ماله وإن رأى أنه ركبه نال ملكا
[Whoever] sees an elephant without riding it suffers a diminution in himself and a loss of his wealth; if he sees himself riding it, he attains a kingdom.
Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (attributed to Ibn Sirin)
Attribution to Ibn Sirin rejected: why
ومن رأى كأن الفيل يتهدده أو يريده فإن ذلك مرض
[Whoever] sees as though the elephant is threatening or pursuing him, that indicates illness.
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
- LionThe lion stands above all for a formidable man of power; avoiding it or escaping it announces deliverance from what one fears.
- KingFor al-Nabulusi, becoming a king may signify sovereignty, power, and authority, but also a swift death for someone unfit for it. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin associates seeing Solomon with kingship, knowledge, and religious understanding.
- HorseFor al-Nabulusi, seeing horses announces expanded provision and victory over enemies; riding a horse may bring honor, prestige, and wealth. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin associates a horse seen from afar with good news and good, while a restive horse may indicate wrongdoing or an ordeal.
All the symbols in the dictionary