Types of dreams in Islam: true dreams, bad dreams and dreams of the self

Not every dream is the same. The Prophet (peace be upon him) divided dreams into three kinds: "Dreams are three: a righteous dream that is good news from Allah, a saddening dream from Satan, and a dream from what a person tells himself" (Sahih Muslim 2263a). Knowing this is the first step to understanding which dreams deserve attention and which should be let go.

1. The righteous dream (ru'ya sadiqa)

A righteous dream is good news, a warning or guidance from Allah.

• "A good dream seen by a righteous person is one of forty-six parts of prophethood" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6983).
• "Nothing remains of prophethood except the bearers of good news." Asked what these are, he said: "The righteous dream" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6990).
• The Quran promises the friends of Allah "good news in this worldly life and in the Hereafter" (Quran 10:64). The Prophet explained the good news of this world as the righteous dream.

A righteous dream is usually clear, memorable and leaves a sense of peace. When you see one, thank Allah and share it only with those who love you.

2. The bad dream from Satan (hulm)

"A (true) dream is from Allah, and a bad dream (hulm) is from Satan" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6984). These dreams aim to frighten and sadden a person.

• When you see one, seek refuge in Allah from its harm and tell no one; then it will not harm you (Sahih al-Bukhari 6985).
• When a bedouin told the Prophet he dreamt his head was cut off, he said: "Do not tell people how Satan played with you in your sleep" (Sahih Muslim 2268d).

So not every frightening dream is bad news; most are dreams to leave behind without looking for an interpretation. See What to do after a bad dream for the steps from the Sunnah.

3. Dreams of the self (hadith al-nafs)

These are the day's thoughts, worries and wishes replaying in sleep, such as dreaming of an exam before an exam, or of travel before a journey. They usually carry no interpretation.

Muddled dreams

The Quran mentions "muddled dreams" (adghathu ahlam) (Quran 21:5). The king of Egypt's advisors also called his dream "muddled dreams" (Quran 12:44), yet Prophet Yusuf showed it was deeply meaningful. So look carefully before dismissing a dream as meaningless.

Seeing the Prophet in a dream

"Whoever sees me in a dream has truly seen me, for Satan cannot take my form" (Sahih Muslim 2266a; Sahih al-Bukhari 6993). Scholars explain this as seeing him with his known description.

How to tell a righteous dream from the others

• Righteous dream: clear, orderly, memorable; you wake with peace and hope.
• Bad dream: frightening, distressing, often jumbled; you wake uneasy.
• Dream of the self: a replay of what was on your mind during the day.

"When the time draws near, a believer's dream will hardly ever be false" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7017). Truthfulness, and sleeping in a state of wudu with remembrance of Allah, help dreams become clearer.

Allah knows best the truth of dreams.