42/0. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2261b — Bad Dream Guidance
The Book of Dreams
What to Do After a Bad Dream in Islam: A Short Hadith Guide
Sahih Muslim : 2261b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2261b
وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، مَوْلَى آلِ طَلْحَةَ وَعَبْدِ رَبِّهِ وَيَحْيَى ابْنَىْ سَعِيدٍ وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . مِثْلَهُ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ فِي حَدِيثِهِمْ قَوْلَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ كُنْتُ أَرَى الرُّؤْيَا أُعْرَى مِنْهَا غَيْرَ أَنِّي لاَ أُزَمَّلُ .
Abu Qatadah Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Qatada, but there is no mention of the words of Abu Salama: "I saw dreams (which perturbed me) but I did not cover myself with a mantle."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2261bIn-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 2USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 29, Hadith 5614
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2261b
This Hadith about dreams is a shorter route for the same teaching from Abu Qatada. It reports the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم guidance about good visions and bad dreams, but it does not include Abu Salama’s personal words about how disturbed he felt. The core teaching remains: a good vision is from Allah, and a bad dream is from the devil. When someone sees a dream he dislikes, he should follow the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم instruction by spitting to the left and seeking refuge with Allah from its evil. For people searching what to do after a bad dream Islam, this narration is helpful because it keeps the focus on the action itself. The person is directed away from fear and toward Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration preserves the main guidance about dreams.
- Good visions and bad dreams are treated differently.
- A disliked dream should be met with seeking refuge in Allah.
- The report leaves out Abu Salama’s personal added words.
