Actions and situations
Dreaming of swimming in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, swimming can signify contending with an adversary and overcoming him; swimming in the sea may also relate to seeking knowledge, an important undertaking, or a trial, depending on the circumstances.
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
من رأى في المنام أنه يسبح في البحر إن كان عالما بلغ في العلم حاجته فإنه يسبح ثم رجع إلى الساحل فإنه يطلب العلم ثم يتركه
[Whoever sees himself] swimming in the sea, if he is a scholar, attains the knowledge he needs. If he swims and then returns to shore, he seeks knowledge and then abandons it.
- (ومن رأى) أنه يسبح خاصم خصما له وغلب خصمه ونصر عليه.
Whoever sees himself swimming contends with an adversary, defeats him, and prevails over 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
- 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.
- WaterFor both books clear water is life, knowledge and ease, and drinking it is a good sign. Al-Nabulusi also reports the view attributed to Ibn Sirin: water can be a trial in religion.
- DrowningFor al-Nabulusi, drowning may signify being destined for the Fire, committing many sins, or being threatened with disbelief or religious innovation; drowning in clear water means being overwhelmed by abundant wealth.
All the symbols in the dictionary