Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that dreams fall into different categories, with distinct sources and guidance on how to react to them.
Based on the narration by Abu Qatada, the Prophet (ﷺ) provided clear guidance regarding the nature and handling of dreams:
- Good Dreams: He stated that "A good dream that comes true is from Allah." These are seen as positive signs or messages originating from the Divine.
- Bad Dreams: In contrast, he identified that "a bad dream is from Satan." These are considered negative influences or disturbances from the devil.
Guidance on Handling Bad Dreams
The Prophet (ﷺ) provided specific, practical advice for anyone experiencing a bad dream:
- Seek Refuge: "...he should seek refuge with Allah from Satan..." This involves turning to God for protection against the evil influence attributed to the bad dream.
- Physical Action: "...and should spit on the left..." This is a symbolic action recommended as a way to repel the devil's influence.
- Assurance: He gave the assurance that "for the bad dream will not harm him." Following these steps is intended to nullify the negative impact of the dream.
In summary, the teaching highlights the importance of distinguishing between the source of different dreams and provides a specific method rooted in seeking divine protection to deal with distressing ones.
