The Book of Dreams - Sahih Muslim 2266 b

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who saw me in a dream would soon see me in the state of wakefulness, or as if he saw me in a state of wakefulness, for the satan does not appear in my form.

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes the special status of seeing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in dreams. The statement "he would soon see me in the state of wakefulness" has been interpreted by scholars in two ways: either the dreamer will see the Prophet in the afterlife, or it indicates the truthfulness of the vision.

The phrase "for the satan does not appear in my form" provides a crucial criterion for authenticating such dreams. Scholars explain that Shaytan is incapable of perfectly imitating the Prophet's blessed form and characteristics. This serves as a divine protection for the ummah against deception in matters of spiritual significance.

Imam Nawawi comments that this hadith demonstrates the honor bestowed upon those who see the Prophet in dreams and confirms the special nature of such visions compared to ordinary dreams.

Scholarly Interpretations

Classical scholars have differed regarding the meaning of "seeing in wakefulness." Some interpret it literally as seeing the Prophet in this world before death, while most understand it as seeing him in the hereafter or experiencing his spiritual presence.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani emphasizes that the inability of Satan to imitate the Prophet's form is a specific divine protection unique to Muhammad (ﷺ), distinguishing his true visions from false ones.

This hadith provides comfort to believers that genuine visions of the Prophet are possible and protected from satanic interference, serving as a means of spiritual connection with the Messenger of Allah.