What to do after a bad dream in Islam: steps from the Sunnah

Waking from a frightening dream happens to everyone. Islam gives clear guidance, and the most important good news: when you follow the Sunnah, a bad dream will not harm you (Sahih al-Bukhari 6985).

What to do when you wake from a bad dream

1. Seek refuge in Allah. Say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" and seek refuge from the harm of the dream and of Satan (Sahih al-Bukhari 7044).
2. Lightly spit to your left three times. This is a light, dry spitting, like blowing (Sahih Muslim 2262).
3. Turn over from the side you were lying on (Sahih Muslim 2262).
4. Do not tell anyone about it. "Let him not mention it to anyone, for it will not harm him" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6985; Sahih Muslim 2261f).
5. If you wish, get up and pray. "If one of you sees what he dislikes, let him get up and pray and not tell people about it" (Sahih Muslim 2263a).

What not to do

• Tell everyone to find its meaning. A bad dream is not one to be interpreted.
• Worry about it for days. The hadith clearly says it will not harm you.
• Treat it as a bad omen and change your life because of it.

Before sleep: protection from bad dreams

• Sleep in a state of wudu. The Prophet advised making wudu as for prayer before going to bed (Sahih al-Bukhari 247).
• Recite Ayat al-Kursi. Whoever recites it has a guardian from Allah until morning (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311).
• Recite al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas. Each night the Prophet recited these three surahs, blew into his palms and wiped them over his body (Sahih al-Bukhari 5017).
• Lie on your right side and sleep with the bedtime supplications.

If nightmares keep coming back

If the same frightening dreams repeat often, look at your sleep routine, stress and anxiety alongside the spiritual steps above. Heavy late meals, screen light and irregular sleep can increase nightmares. If they affect your daily life, getting help from a doctor or specialist is part of taking care of yourself.

What to do after a good dream

A good dream is from Allah: praise Allah and share it only with those who love you (Sahih al-Bukhari 7044; Sahih Muslim 2261f). See Should you tell anyone your dream? for more.

Allah knows best the truth of dreams.