In Islam, a bad dream is generally believed to originate from Shaitan (Satan) and is intended to cause distress. If someone experiences a disturbing or unpleasant dream, they are advised to take specific actions upon waking.
Here's a breakdown of the Islamic perspective:
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Source: Bad dreams are attributed to the influence of Shaitan, whose goal is to instill fear and sadness in believers.
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Action Upon Waking: Islamic teachings prescribe specific actions to ward off the negative effects of a bad dream. These include:
- Seeking refuge in Allah: The individual should seek Allah's protection from Shaitan and the evil of the dream itself.
- Spitting (or dry spitting) thrice to the left: This action is symbolic and not intended to be literal. It represents rejecting the negativity of the dream.
- Changing sides: Switching to the opposite side of the bed on which they were sleeping.
- Performing prayer (Salat): Praying to Allah offers comfort and protection.
- Not recounting the dream to others: Avoiding sharing the bad dream prevents it from causing further anxiety or spreading negativity.
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Purpose of the Actions: These actions are designed to counteract the negative impact of the dream, affirm faith in Allah, and seek His protection. They serve as a means of psychological and spiritual defense against the influence of Shaitan.
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Interpretation: Unlike good dreams, which may carry messages or glad tidings, bad dreams are generally not seen as having specific interpretations or meanings beyond being a form of disturbance from Shaitan.
Therefore, in Islam, a bad dream is considered a trial from Shaitan and should be dealt with through specific prescribed actions to seek Allah's protection and dispel its negative influence.
