Animals
Dreaming of a wolf in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, the wolf may represent an unjust enemy, a thief, or a liar, but seeing one may also herald good words, good, and joy. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin associates it with an unjust and lying enemy, a thief, and the unjust accusation of a man.
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
هو في المنام عدو ظلوم لص صعب كذاب
A wolf in a dream is an unjust enemy, a formidable thief, and a liar.
في منامه ذئبا فإنه يسمع كلاما حسنا أو يصيب خيرا وبرا فإن صاده نال سرورا وشهادة
[Whoever sees] a wolf in a dream hears good words or obtains good and kindness; if he hunts it, he obtains joy and a testimony.
Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (attributed to Ibn Sirin)
Attribution to Ibn Sirin rejected: why
عدو ظلوم كذاب لص غشوم من الرجال غادر من الأصحاب مكار مخادع
The wolf is an unjust and lying enemy, a violent thief among men, a disloyal companion, cunning and deceitful.
وقيل من رأى ذئبا فإنه يتهم رجلا بريئا لقصة يوسف عليه السلام ولأن الذئب خوف وفوات أمر
It was said that [whoever sees] a wolf accuses an innocent man, because of the story of Joseph, peace be upon him, and because the wolf signifies fear and the loss of an affair.
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
- DogThe dog is most often a foolish man or a lowly enemy; its bite, harm coming from an enemy. A dog guarding the house, by contrast, stands for the protection of the home.
- LionThe lion stands above all for a formidable man of power; avoiding it or escaping it announces deliverance from what one fears.
- Sheep, ramThe ram is a noble, powerful man; the flock, spoils and wealth. Finding sheep announces, for al-Nabulusi, authority and blessings.
All the symbols in the dictionary