The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated that a bad dream originates from Satan. He advised that if someone experiences a bad dream, they should seek refuge with Allah from Satan and spit to the left. This action is believed to negate the negative effects of the bad dream.
Understanding the Prophet's Teachings on Bad Dreams
Several Hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet) address the topic of dreams, distinguishing between good and bad dreams. The core message consistently emphasizes the source and appropriate response to bad dreams:
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Source of Bad Dreams: The Prophet (ﷺ) clearly identifies Satan as the source of bad dreams. This doesn't mean that the dreams are directly caused by Satan's actions, but rather that he attempts to instill negative emotions and thoughts through such dreams.
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Recommended Actions: The Prophet (ﷺ) advised seeking refuge with Allah (seeking protection from God) and spitting to the left as a way to counteract the negative influence of the dream. This action symbolizes rejecting the negativity and seeking divine protection. The act of spitting is not to be taken literally; it symbolizes the act of rejecting or dismissing the negative thoughts or influence implied in the dream.
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No Harm: The Hadith reassures that, by taking these actions, the bad dream will not cause harm. This emphasizes the importance of faith and seeking divine help in overcoming negative experiences, even those occurring in dreams.
Examples of Relevant Hadiths:
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"A good dream that comes true is from Allah, and a bad dream is from Satan, so if anyone of you sees a bad dream, he should seek refuge with Allah from Satan and should spit on the left, for the bad dream will not harm him."
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"I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'A good dream is from Allah, and a bad dream is from Satan; so, if anyone of you sees a bad dream, he should spit thrice to his left and seek refuge with Allah from Satan, for it will not harm him.'" (This slightly different phrasing emphasizes the repetition of spitting three times)
These teachings provide guidance on how to approach and manage negative experiences that may arise from bad dreams within an Islamic context. It highlights the importance of faith and seeking divine protection in the face of adversity.
