Animals
Dreaming of a tiger in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, the tiger represents an unjust ruler or a formidable, openly hostile enemy; killing it means overcoming an enemy, while eating its flesh brings wealth and honor. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin describes it, among other things, as a debauched, resentful, treacherous man, or as an evident ruler.
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 سلطان جائر أو عدو مجاهر شديد الشوكة فمن قتله قهر عدوا ومن أكل لحمه نال مالا وشرفا ومن ركبه نال سلطانا عظيما.
In a dream, the tiger is an unjust ruler or a formidable, openly hostile enemy. Whoever kills it overcomes an enemy; whoever eats its flesh gains wealth and honor; whoever rides it gains great power.
Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (attributed to Ibn Sirin)
Attribution to Ibn Sirin rejected: why
يجري مجرى الأسد وهو أيضا رجل فجور حقود كتوم لما في نفسه مسلط خائن وعدو ظاهر العداوة وقيل سلطان ظاهر والنمرة أيضا تجري مجرى اللبوة ودخول النمر دخول رجل فاسق وأكل لحمه قيل أنه رياسة
The tiger follows the same interpretation as the lion; it is also a debauched, resentful man who conceals what is within him, domineering and treacherous, and an openly hostile enemy. It is also said to represent an evident ruler. The tigress likewise follows the interpretation of the lioness; the tiger’s entry means the entry of a debauched man, and eating its flesh is said to mean a position of leadership.
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.
- WolfFor 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.
- 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.
All the symbols in the dictionary