The authenticity of dreams in Islam
Selections from the Book The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq…
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (15)
One of the topics in Surah Yusuf is the theme of dreams. The Holy Quran mentions seven dreams in six different contexts, three of which include four dreams, found in Surah Yusuf.
- Joseph’s vision, Almighty Allah said: {[Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, “O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me”} [Yusuf: 4].
- Then, the second instance includes the dreams of the two companions of the prison, each of whom saw a different dream from the other.
- Then, the fourth dream is mentioned in the third instance of the surah, which is the dream of the king. So, these are three instances that encompass four dreams, all of them in Surah Yusuf.
- And you find the mention of dreams elsewhere in the Quran, such as in Surah Al-Anfal, where Almighty Allah says: {[Remember, O Muhammad], when Allah showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many, you [believers] would have lost courage and would have disputed in the matter [of whether to fight]} [Al-Anfal: 43].
- Then in Surah As-Saffat, in the story of Abraham with his son Ishmael, peace be upon them, Almighty Allah says: {And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast”} [As-Saffat: 102].
- And in the sixth and final instance, the seventh dream came, which is the dream of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, which Almighty Allah told us about from Surah Al-Fath, saying: {Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand]} [Al-Fath: 27].
Indeed, these are seven dreams mentioned in the Quran, with more than half of them appearing in Surah Yusuf.
- Authenticity of dreams:
The story of Prophet Yusuf in the Quran indeed signifies the validity of dreams and the importance of considering them, whether they come to believers or non-believers. Additionally, the first form of revelation that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, received was through righteous dreams during sleep, where he would not see a dream except that it would come true, just like the breaking of dawn.
Indeed, the truthfulness of righteous visions during sleep is firmly established in both the Quran and the Sunnah, and it is supported by rational thinking and accepted by sound minds. Only philosophers and some contemporary psychologists have denied the divine origin of righteous visions, considering them mere hallucinations. However, those who adhere to their views are not to be heeded because righteous dreams are confirmed by the Quran and the Sunnah, as evidenced by the verses in Surah Yusuf. Moreover, numerous authentic Hadiths in the Sunnah highlight the significance of dreams and emphasize the care to be given to them.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq, pp. 107-109.
- Signs for those who ask, Dr. Nasser Al-Omar, previous reference, pp. 68-69.
- Al-Bukhari, previous reference, No. 3.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Prophet Minister Joseph al-Siddiq on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
