BENEFIT 321: Four Key Distinctions Between Our Dreams and the Dreams of the Prophets
23 January 2025 • 1.7K views
1⃣. The Dreams of The Prophets are a Form of Revelation while Ours are Not
Narrated ’Ā'ishah may Allāh be pleased with her:
((أول ما بدئ به رسول الله ﷺ من الوحي الرؤيا الصالحة في النوم، فكان لا يرى رؤيا إلا جاءت مثل فلق الصبح)).
"The beginning of revelation to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through righteous dreams during sleep. He would not see a dream except that it came true as clearly as the break of dawn." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari (3) and Muslim (160)]
Al-Hakim narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allāh be pleased with them both) that he said:
«رؤى الأنبياء وحي»
"The dreams of the prophets are revelation." [Al-Mustadrak (3613). Al-Hakim authenticated it. However, Al-Haythami mentioned (Majma’ Az-Zawa'id: 7/176) that the chain includes Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Maryam, who is weak]
Al-Bukhari reported in his Sahih (138), in a suspended form, from ’Ubayd ibn ’Umayr (may Allāh have mercy on him) that he said:
«رؤيا الأنبياء وحي»
"Dreams of the prophets are revelation." Then he recited:
﴿إني أرى في المنام أني أذبحك﴾
'Indeed, I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you.'
Al-Hafidh ibn Hajar states:
«وجه الاستدلال بما تلاه من جهة أن الرؤيا لو لم تكن وحيًا لما جاز لإبراهيم عليه السلام الإقدام على ذبح ولده»
"The point of evidence from what was recited lies in the fact that if dreams were not a form of revelation [for the prophets], it would not have been permissible for Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to proceed with the act of sacrificing his son." [Fat-h Al-Bari (1/239)]
2⃣. The Types of Dreams: Three for Us, One (Revelation) for the Prophets
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that dreams are of three types:
1. A righteous dream which serves as glad tidings from Allah,
2. A distressing dream which stems from Shaytan, and
3. A dream stems from what a person contemplates in their own mind. [Reported by Bukhari (7017) and Muslim (2263)]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah raḥimahullāh said:
«المنام تارة يكون من الله، وتارة يكون من النفس، وتارة يكون من الشيطان، هذا بالنسبة لعموم الناس، وهكذا ما يلقى في اليقظة، والأنبياء معصومون في اليقظة والمنام، ولهذا كانت رؤى الأنبياء وحيًا؛ كما قال ذلك ابن عباس وعبيد بن عمير»
“Dreams can sometimes be from Allah, sometimes from the self, and sometimes from Shayṭān. This applies to the generality of people, and the same applies to what may occur during wakefulness (daydreaming). However, the prophets are infallible both in wakefulness and in sleep. For this reason, the dreams of the prophets are considered revelation, as stated by Ibn Abbas and Ubayd ibn Umair.” [Majmu‘ Al-Fatawa (17/532)]
3⃣. The Dreams of The Prophets Are Free from Shaytan's Influence While Ours Are Not
Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah said:
«ورؤيا الأنبياء وحي، فإنها معصومة من الشيطان، وهذا باتفاق الأمة، ولهذا أقدم الخليل على ذبح ابنه إسماعيل بالرؤيا، وأما رؤيا غيرهم فتعرض على الوحي الصريح فإن وافقته وإلا تركته»
"The dreams of the prophets are considered revelation, as they are protected from the influence of Shaytan. This is a matter of consensus among the Muslim community. This is why Ibrahim Al-Kahleel proceeded with the act of sacrificing his son Isma'eel based on his dream. As for the dreams of others, they are evaluated in light of explicit revelation; if they align with it, they are accepted, and if not, they are rejected." [Madārij As-Sālikīn (1/62)]
4⃣. The Eyes of Prophets May Sleep, but Their Hearts Remain Awake Unlike Ours
Anas ibn Malik may Allāh be pleased with him narrates that on the night of the Isra and Mi'raj of the Prophet ﷺ from the Masjid of the Ka'bah, he said:
((والنبي ﷺ نائمة عيناه ولا ينام قلبه، وكذلك الأنبياء تنام أعينهم ولا تنام قلوبهم))
"The Prophet ﷺ's eyes were asleep, but his heart was awake. Likewise, the eyes of the prophets may sleep, but their hearts do not sleep." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 3570].