Being chased in a dream: what does it mean in Islam?

Being chased in a dream is a very common and unsettling dream. In the Islamic tradition of dream interpretation this dream is most often interpreted as a responsibility being avoided, a fear carried inside, or a matter waiting to be resolved.

The symbols in your dream

• Being chased by a stranger: A worry inside you, or a matter you avoid facing.
• Being chased by an animal: Depending on the animal, a rival or a situation that bothers you.
• Escaping: Being freed from a hardship, staying away from danger.
• Being caught: The time having come to face a postponed matter.
• Turning to face the chaser: Overcoming fear, courage.

Being chased in a dream: other variations

• Escaping from a lion in a dream: Points to being saved from something you fear.
• Overpowering an attacking dog in a dream: Points to overcoming the person who causes you trouble.
• Running from an earthquake in a dream: Points to a tiring but fruitful effort toward your goals.
• An enemy leaving your house in a dream: Points to your enemy not harming you and your worry being unfounded.
• Chasing a dog away with a stick in a dream: Points to beating an enemy without taking the bait.

In short

A dream of being chased mostly reminds you of a matter, a debt or a decision you have been putting off. The dream shows that facing the matter calmly, instead of running from it, will bring you relief. If you escaped in the dream, it points to the difficulty not being able to reach you.

Advice

• If the dream frightened you, seek refuge in Allah from the evil of Shaytan, lightly spit three times to your left, turn onto your other side, and do not tell the dream to anyone; it will not harm you.
• Take up a task or conversation you have been putting off.
• Before sleeping, recite Ayat al-Kursi and the two refuge surahs (Al-Falaq and An-Nas).

Allah knows best the truth of dreams.