35/3. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3906 — Three Types of Dreams in Islam
Dreams are of Three Types
Three Types of Dreams in Islam: Glad Tidings, Thoughts, and Fear
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3906
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3906
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هَوْذَةُ بْنُ خَلِيفَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَوْفٌ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " الرُّؤْيَا ثَلاَثٌ فَبُشْرَى مِنَ اللَّهِ وَحَدِيثُ النَّفْسِ وَتَخْوِيفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُمْ رُؤْيَا تُعْجِبُهُ فَلْيَقُصَّهَا إِنْ شَاءَ وَإِنْ رَأَى شَيْئًا يَكْرَهُهُ فَلاَ يَقُصَّهُ عَلَى أَحَدٍ وَلْيَقُمْ يُصَلِّي " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Dreams are of three types: Glad tidings from Allah, what is on a person’s mind, and frightening dreams from Satan. If any of you sees a dream that he likes, let him tell others of it if he wishes, but if he sees something that he dislikes, he should not tell anyone about it, and he should get up and perform prayer.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3906In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 5, Book 35, Hadith 3906
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3906
This hadith is a key text for the search term “three types of dreams in Islam.” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explains that dreams are of three types: glad tidings from Allah, what is on a person’s mind, and frightening dreams from Satan. The hadith also gives simple guidance. If someone sees a dream that he likes, he may tell it if he wishes. If he sees something he dislikes, he should not tell anyone about it and should get up to pray. This teaching keeps dream talk balanced. Not every dream has the same source, and not every dream should be shared. The response depends on what was seen.
What we learn from this hadith
- Dreams are described as glad tidings from Allah, thoughts of the self, or frightening dreams from Satan.
- A pleasing dream may be shared if the person wishes.
- A disliked dream should not be shared, and the person should get up and pray.
