The unseen
Dreaming of Paradise in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, entering Paradise signifies joy and security in both abodes; being prevented from entering may indicate an obstacle to pilgrimage, fighting, or repentance. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin associates entering Paradise, in a dream of a flourishing garden, with martyrdom.
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
كأنه دخلها نال سرورا وأمنا في الدارين.
[Whoever sees himself] entering Paradise attains joy and security in both abodes.
كأنه يريد أن يدخلها فمنع فإنه يصير محصرا عن الحج والجهاد بعد الهم بهما أو يمنع عن التوبة من ذنب وهو عليه مصر فيريد أن يتوب منه.
[Whoever sees himself] wanting to enter Paradise but being prevented is kept from pilgrimage and fighting after having contemplated them, or prevented from repenting of a sin he persists in committing while wanting to repent of it.
Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (attributed to Ibn Sirin)
Attribution to Ibn Sirin rejected: why
ومن رأى بستانا عامرا له فيه ماء يجري وقصور وامرأة تدعوه إلى نفسها رزق الشهادة ويدخل الجنة
Whoever sees a flourishing garden with flowing water, palaces, and a woman inviting him to her, is granted martyrdom and enters Paradise.
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
- Day of JudgmentFor al-Nabulusi, the Day of Judgment is a warning against sin and a sign of justice for the oppressed; it may also herald safety from enemies. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin sees it as the establishment of justice according to whether the people of the place are unjust or oppressed.
- QuranReciting the Quran in a dream is honour, joy and victory. Interpreters look at the meaning of the passage: a verse of mercy is mercy, a warning is a call to amend oneself. Al-Fatiha, al-Falaq and an-Nas are protections.
- PrayerFor both books, dreaming of prayer is praiseworthy for religion and worldly life alike: fulfilling a duty, a debt or a trust. Asking Allah’s forgiveness facing the qibla after prayer announces an answered supplication.
All the symbols in the dictionary