Nature and elements
Dreaming of snow in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, snow in season may signify the end of worries, while snow out of season or in great abundance may indicate illness, misfortune, or injustice; a small amount may signify fertility. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin likewise associates snow with misfortunes and illnesses, but, when conditions are favorable, also with fertility and abundance.
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
فإن رؤى الثلج في أوانه كان دليلا على ذهاب الهموم والغموم وإرغام الأعداء والحساد وإن ظهر في غير أوانه كان دليلا على الأمراض الباردة والفالج
If snow is seen in its season, it is a sign of the disappearance of worries and sorrows, and of the defeat of enemies and envious people; if it appears out of season, it is a sign of cold illnesses and paralysis.
فإن كان الثلج قليلا وكان في البلد ينفع أهله فإنه خصب.
If the snow is slight and benefits the people of the country, it signifies fertility.
Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (attributed to Ibn Sirin)
Attribution to Ibn Sirin rejected: why
كل هذه الأشياء قد تدل على الحوادث والأسقام والجدري والبرسام وعلى العذاب أو الأشرار النازلة بذلك المكان الذي يرى ذلك فيه وبالبلد الذي نزل به
All these things may indicate misfortunes, illnesses, smallpox, and pleurisy, as well as punishment or evils befalling the place where they are seen and the country where they fall.
وربما دلت على الحرب والجراد وأنواع الجوائح وربما دل على الخصب والغنى وكثرة الطعام
They may also indicate war, locusts, and various calamities; they may also indicate fertility, wealth, and an abundance of food.
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
- RainRain that does no damage is, for both books, good, provision and Allah’s mercy, and relief for the indebted or worried; a rain of blood or stones stands for sins.
- 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.
- SkyFor al-Nabulusi, ascending to the sky can signify attaining elevation and favor with the ruler, while ascending without aid can portend great fear of the ruler. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin also associates being in the sky with authority and exercising command.
All the symbols in the dictionary