Every people in this world even a baby could experience a dream in their sleep. Dreaming-though not strange to people has since the dawn of human history given rise to a variety of beliefs, fears and conjectures, both imaginative and experimental, regarding its mysterious nature. Dream reports range from the very ordinary and the realistic to the fantastic and the surreal.
Dream in Islam
What is the position of dream in Islam? there are many traditions regarding Hadith dreams. Abu Qatada reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying :"The good visions are from Allah and the evil dreams are from Satan. If one sees a dream which one does not like, one should spit on one's left side and seek the refuge of Allah from Satan, it will not do any harm, and one should feel pleased but should not disclose it to anyone but whom one loves".
Abu Qatada narrated that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said "True dreams are from Allah and bad dreams are from Satan" This is a general statement from the prophet regarding dreams. That's mean Islam recognized the dreams as one of phenomenon in Muslim daily life.
Types of Dreams
Based on the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) dream are of three type as follows :
1) Divine – a good dream which is a sort of good tidings from Allah.
2) Satanic - the evil dream which causes pain and is from Satan.
3) Human - a suggestion of one's own mind.
The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) explained about these three type of dreams in his statement : "There are three types of dreams : a righteous dream which is glad tidings from Allah, the dream which causes sadness is from Satan and a dream from the ramblings of the mind.
Dreams interpretation
The fact of the matter is that dream interpretation is mentioned in the Quran and was regularly practiced by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He himself interpreted his own dreams as well as those of his companions. But nowadays, a lot of dreams interpretations are based on human fancy. they interpret anything they like without referring to the Islamic sources. To avoid all these in our society, guidelines have to be set according to the Quran and prophet's instruction.
Sleep Etiquette
Prophet Muhammad (obuh) always giving his nation guidelines in order to make the Muslim's day as a perfect day. One of the most considered things by the prophet are the sleep etiquette. The following points are the etiquette in sleep in order to protect human during the vulnerable state of sleep :
- preparing the home
- praying with before sleep
- preparation of will (wasiyah)
- Quranic shields
- Ablution
- Wiping the bed
- wiping the body
- lying on the right side
- placing the right hand under the head
- shielding supplications
- words of remembrance
- general supplications
- awakening from a nightmare
- awakening for a tahajjud
- moderation in sleep
Conclusion
What is the role of dreams in Islam? As the believers, Muslims should make frequent mention of Allah Almighty, thinks about Allah Almighty, glorifies Allah Almighty and completely submit their will to Allah Almighty will, if Allah Almighty does will it, secure great reward in the next world.
The subject of dreams and nightmares can be frightening, but there should be no fear if one believes in the power of Allah Almighty and is aware that their soul goes to Allah Almighty at the time of sleep.
