Question
I have a question regarding true dreams. I have personally experienced true dreams, particularly after becoming more devout and closer to Allah. These dreams often occurred after I prayed Istikhara, and I have felt the Almighty’s guidance through them. Each warning dream I received came true, allowing me to witness His miracles. However, aren’t true dreams considered a part of prophethood? There is even a Hadith about this. Shouldn’t only believers experience true dreams? Yet, I have encountered many individuals from different faiths who also report having warning dreams or dreams that came true. How accurate is it that one must be a believer to experience this remnant of prophethood? Why does Allah guide individuals who are not close to Him through dreams as well?
Answer
Salaam,
Thank you for reaching out with your question.
The hadith you referenced is as follows:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا اقْتَرَبَ الزَّمَانُ لَمْ تَكَدْ تَكْذِبُ رُؤْيَا الْمُؤْمِنِ وَرُؤْيَا الْمُؤْمِنِ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءًا مِنْ النُّبُوَّةِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنْ النُّبُوَّةِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَكْذِبُ
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When the end of time approaches, the dream of a believer can hardly be false. The dream of a believer is one of forty-six parts of prophecy and whatever is from prophecy cannot be false.” (Bukhari, Hadith 7017).
Another related hadith is as follows:
حدثني سعيد بن المسيب أن أبا هريرة قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لم يبق من النبوة إلا المبشرات قالوا وما المبشرات قال الرؤيا الصالحة
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger saying, “Nothing remains of prophethood except for things which give glad tidings.” They asked: “What are these?” He replied: “Good dreams.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6990).
These hadiths imply that any reliable information about the unseen future, which was part of prophethood, ceased with the end of the chain of prophets. What remains are hints or signs that may appear in dreams.
These hadiths do not confer any religious significance on dreams. A dream might come true or not, making it an ordinary dream. We cannot determine whether a dream is a sign of the unseen future until it either manifests or does not. If a dream comes true, it may be considered a sign from God. If it does not, it is simply a dream.
Regardless, it is crucial to consider the ‘Islamic’ significance of a true dream. Does it mean the person who had the dream is akin to a prophet? Does it imply that all future dreams of this person should be seen as signs from God? The answer is negative. Dreams or visions are not sources of guidance parallel to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) and should not influence our understanding or following of the Shari`ah.
Moreover, only believers don’t need to experience true dreams. The Qur’an mentions the dreams of several non-believers, such as the Pharaoh and the cellmates of Prophet Joseph (pbuh) in prison. Allah, in His wisdom, may choose to reveal something in a dream to anyone He wills.
Hope this helps.
Answered by: Mushfiq Sultan
Originally Published: 2019-10-25
