In Islam, dreams are considered a form of spiritual perception and an important way to receive tidings. They are also a form of communication between the soul and the mind. This article will explore some of the key contributions made by Muslim scholars on dreams and their interpretation.
Islamic philosophy has a clear conception of mental health, defined as the Qalb being in alignment with fitra and open to divine guidance. This is distinct from psycho-pathology.
Dreams are a form of spiritual perception
In Islamic culture, dreams are a form of spiritual perception. They are referred to as Ru’ya, Manam, Hulum and Bushra (tidings). Dreams can convey many things about future events or one’s status in life. However, one should not take a major decision based on a dream alone. The Prophet Muhammad emphasized this point. Dreams may not always carry meaning and can also be false. False dreams are derived from a person’s subconscious or their thoughts, feelings and fears. These can be a result of what they have eaten or stored in their memory and the subconscious.
A good example of a false dream is that of a person seeing himself being chased by a shark in their sleep. This is a sign that the dream may be from Satan and should not be heeded. Kharaghani cites this dream in his book to show the high status of Bayazid Bastami, who had this ability. Other dreams may show the mystic a situation of another universe to which they have no access in their mortal life.
They are a manifestation of the soul
Unlike in Western cultures, dreams are believed to have deep spiritual meaning and can offer guidance from Allah. It is also believed that they are a sign of good fortune and blessings from Allah. This makes it important for Muslims to understand the symbolism of their dreams and seek interpretation from a qualified Muslim scholar.
Dreams can be interpreted by considering the person’s life history and wishes. For example, if someone dreams about wealth and riches, it could represent their desire for success in the worldly sense or that they want to achieve their religious goals. Dreams of animals can also have symbolic meaning. For instance, if a person dreams of a pig it could symbolize abundance and fertility, while a snake dream may indicate enmity from one’s family or friends.
Dreams are often associated with certain events or circumstances, such as a change in job or financial crisis. These symbols can be a source of information about future events and help individuals make decisions.
They are a form of communication
Muslims believe that dreams are a form of communication from the soul. They also believe that the soul is not limited to this world and is connected to the Hereafter. This is why dreams are sometimes a sign of good tidings and other times a warning. Prophet Muhammad told his followers that the truest dreams come from those who are truthful and sincere in their words. In addition, dreams can indicate the future based on the actions and events of that time in our life. This is why we often experience the feeling of deja vu in our dreams.
A number of studies have shown that Islamic dream interpretation can be a powerful tool for the Islamic scholar, especially when it is used to explain Islamic teachings. However, it is important to keep in mind that dreams do not tell us everything and should be interpreted within the context of Islamic culture. For example, a dream about a deceased relative might contain messages that should not be disclosed to others.
They are a form of tidings
Muslims believe that dreams are a form of glad tidings that provide Divine guid- ance. This is emphasized in the Holy Quran and in the collected traditions, or Hadith. One Hadith states that a good dream vision is one-fourth part of prophecy. However, a person must be truthful and religious in his reporting of his dreams.
The prophet Muhammad is a key figure in Islamic dreams, and he can appear in the form of a righteous honored person or as himself. Dreaming about the Prophet is a sign of faith and a good omen for believers.
In the Muslim world, there were many different Arabic dream books written. Hunayn b. Ishaq’s translation of Artemidorus’ Oneirokritikon was particularly influential, as it provided a model for later Arabic dream manuals. The title of his work, Kitab ta’bir al-ruya, became the name of a type of dream book. These were generally small, condensed treatises on dream interpretation. These were often accompanied by an array of symbols and explanations of the various elements in a dream.
