The Etiquette of Dreams in the Sunnah

The Sunnah distinguishes between a true vision (ru’yā), which is glad tidings from Allah, and a disliked dream (ḥulm), which may be from Shayṭān or from the self’s own talk.

If one sees what one loves

Praise Allah, take it as glad tidings, and relate it only to those one loves — not to those one dislikes.

If one sees what one dislikes

A number of etiquettes are reported in the Sunnah, among them:

• Seeking refuge in Allah from Shayṭān and from the evil of what was seen.
• Spitting (a light puff) to the left three times.
• Turning over from the side one was on.
• Not relating it to anyone.
• Rising to pray, if moved to.

An important rule

Interpreting dreams is a science of conjecture and effort; nothing of the unseen is settled by it, and no fear or ruling is built upon it. A vision falls as it is interpreted, so let it be met with the best of readings.

And Allah knows best.