Animals
Dreaming of a turtle in Islam
In short
For al-Nabulusi, acquiring a turtle or bringing one into one’s home signifies encountering a scholar versed in ancient sciences; a turtle left on a road represents neglected knowledge. He also gives it unfavorable meanings: cunning, deception, spying, concealment, and evil.
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
ومن رأى) أنه أصاب سلحفاة أو ملكها أو أدخلها منزله فإنه يفوز بإنسان حبر عالم بالعلوم القديمة
[Whoever sees himself] finding a turtle, owning it, or bringing it into his home encounters a learned man versed in ancient sciences.
وإن رأى سلحفاة في طريقه مطروحة فإن هناك علما مطروحا لا يهتم به
If he sees a turtle abandoned on his path, there is knowledge lying neglected and receiving no attention.
وقيل السلحفاة تدل في المنام على المكر والخديعة والتجسس والاختفاء والشر
It has been said that a turtle in a dream indicates cunning, deception, spying, concealment, and evil.
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.
- FishFresh, plentiful fish is, for both books, wealth gained like spoils; small fish are worries. Fishing in water announces pleasing news.
- FrogFor al-Nabulusi, the frog represents a devout man diligent in obedience to Allah; being with frogs signifies good relations with relatives and neighbors. The Muntakhab attributed to Ibn Sirin also associates the frog with a devout man, while numerous frogs in a locality signify punishment.
All the symbols in the dictionary