35/4. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3908 — What to Do After a Bad Dream
One who has a dream that he dislikes
What to Do After a Bad Dream in Islam: Seek Refuge and Turn Over
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3908
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3908
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ الْمِصْرِيُّ، أَنْبَأَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " إِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُكُمُ الرُّؤْيَا يَكْرَهُهَا فَلْيَبْصُقْ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ ثَلاَثًا وَلْيَسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ ثَلاَثًا وَلْيَتَحَوَّلْ عَنْ جَنْبِهِ الَّذِي كَانَ عَلَيْهِ " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If anyone of you sees a dream that he dislikes, let him spit dryly to his left three times and seek refuge with Allah from Satan three times, and turn over onto his other side.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3908In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 16English translation : Vol. 5, Book 35, Hadith 3908
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3908
This hadith gives practical guidance for the search phrase “what to do after a bad dream in Islam.” The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) says that when a person sees a dream he dislikes, he should spit dryly to his left three times, seek refuge with Allah from Satan three times, and turn over onto the other side. The teaching is simple and action-based. It does not tell the person to chase the meaning of the bad dream or spread it to others. Instead, it directs him to seek Allah’s protection and change his sleeping position. This keeps the heart from staying stuck in fear.
What we learn from this hadith
- After a disliked dream, a person should spit dryly to the left three times.
- He should seek refuge with Allah from Satan three times.
- He should turn over onto his other side.
