A man came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "I saw in a dream, a cloud having shade. Butter and honey were dropping from it and I saw the people gathering it in their hands, some gathering much and some a little. And behold, there was a rope extending from the earth to the sky, and I saw that you (the Prophet) held it and went up, and then another man held it and went up and (after that) another (third) held it and went up, and then after another (fourth) man held it, but it broke and then got connected again." Abu Bakr said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Let my father be sacrificed for you! Allow me to interpret this dream." The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Interpret it." Abu Bakr said, "The cloud with shade symbolizes Islam, and the butter and honey dropping from it, symbolizes the Qur'an, its sweetness dropping and some people learning much of the Qur'an and some a little. The rope which is extended from the sky to the earth is the Truth which you (the Prophet) are following. You follow it and Allah will raise you high with it, and then another man will follow it and will rise up with it and another person will follow it and then another man will follow it but it will break and then it will be connected for him and he will rise up with it. O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Let my father be sacrificed for you! Am I right or wrong?" The Prophet replied, "You are right in some of it and wrong in some." Abu Bakr said, "O Allah's Prophet! By Allah, you must tell me in what I was wrong." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not swear."
Interpretation of Dreams - Sahih al-Bukhari 7046
The cloud with shade represents Islam, which provides protection and mercy to believers. The butter and honey symbolize the Qur'an - butter representing its nourishing wisdom and honey its sweet guidance. People gathering different amounts signifies varying capacities to acquire Quranic knowledge.
The Rope Symbolism
The rope extending from earth to heaven represents the covenant of Allah and the straight path of Islam. The Prophet holding it first indicates his role as the primary guide. The subsequent holders represent the righteous caliphs who would lead the Muslim community after him.
The breaking and reconnection of the rope alludes to trials in leadership and the eventual restoration of proper guidance. Abu Bakr's interpretation was mostly correct, though the Prophet indicated some inaccuracy regarding the specific identities and timing of events, demonstrating that dream interpretation requires divine insight.
Scholarly Observations
This narration establishes the permissibility of dream interpretation by qualified individuals. It shows Abu Bakr's profound understanding, while acknowledging that even companions could make minor errors in interpretation. The Prophet's correction teaches humility in religious matters and the importance of seeking verification from authentic sources.