I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "While I was sleeping, I saw that a cup full of milk was brought to me and I drank of it and gave the remaining of it to `Umar bin Al-Khattab." They asked. What have you interpreted (about the dream)? O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said. "(It is Religious) knowledge."
Interpretation of Dreams - Sahih al-Bukhari 7032
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari presents a profound dream of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that carries significant spiritual meaning regarding religious knowledge and leadership.
The Symbolism of Milk
In Islamic dream interpretation, milk represents pure, unadulterated religious knowledge (al-'ilm). Just as milk provides complete nourishment for infants, the knowledge of Islam provides complete spiritual nourishment for believers.
The Prophet (ﷺ) drinking first signifies his direct reception of divine revelation from Allah, being the primary recipient and teacher of Islamic knowledge.
The Significance of Giving to Umar (RA)
The remaining milk given to Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) indicates his special status as a major recipient and disseminator of Islamic knowledge after the Prophet (ﷺ).
This foreshadows Umar's (RA) future role as the second Caliph, during which he would preserve, implement, and spread Islamic knowledge with great wisdom and understanding.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars note that this dream demonstrates how religious knowledge flows from Allah to the Prophet (ﷺ), then to his righteous companions, particularly Umar (RA), who possessed exceptional understanding and implementation of Islamic teachings.
The dream also signifies the continuity of Islamic knowledge through righteous chains of transmission, ensuring the preservation of authentic teachings for future generations.