"When time draws near, the dreams of a believer will hardly ever fail to come true, and the most truthful of them in dreams will be the truest in speech among them. The dream of a Muslim is a portion among the forty-six portions of Prophet-hood. And dreams are of three types: The righteous dream which is good news from Allah, dreams in which the Shaithan frightens someone, and dreams about something that has happened to the man himself. So when one of you sees what he dislikes, then he should get up and spit, and not tell any of the people- he said:- and I like the fetters in a dream while I dislike the iron collar." And the interpretation of fetters is being firm in the religion".
Hadith Commentary: Dreams in Islam
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2270) provides comprehensive guidance regarding dreams in Islamic tradition. The text appears in the "Chapters On Dreams" section and offers valuable insights into eschatology, spirituality, and dream interpretation.
Eschatological Significance
The opening statement "When time draws near" refers to the approach of the Day of Judgment, indicating that as the end times approach, believers' dreams will increasingly manifest in reality. This reflects the thinning of the veil between the spiritual and physical realms.
The correlation between truthful dreams and truthful speech demonstrates the interconnectedness of one's spiritual state and worldly conduct. A person's truthfulness permeates all aspects of their being, including their dream state.
Prophetic Connection
The description of dreams as "one of forty-six portions of Prophet-hood" signifies their spiritual nature. Classical scholars explain this ratio corresponds to the six months prior to Muhammad's (ﷺ) first revelation when he received exclusively true dreams, establishing a connection between divine inspiration and veridical dreams.
Three Categories of Dreams
Righteous Dreams: These constitute glad tidings from Allah, often containing guidance, warnings, or encouragement. Scholars consider these a form of divine mercy.
Disturbing Dreams: Originating from Satan, these aim to cause fear, anxiety, or confusion. The prescribed remedy of spitting lightly three times to the left and seeking refuge in Allah prevents their negative effects.
Psychological Dreams: These stem from one's subconscious thoughts, experiences, and concerns, having no particular spiritual significance.
Practical Guidance & Symbolism
The instruction not to share disturbing dreams prevents their potential harm from manifesting. The Prophet's personal preference regarding fetters versus iron collars demonstrates that dream interpretation requires wisdom and context.
Fetters (leg chains) symbolize firmness in religion as they restrict movement away from righteousness, while iron collars (neck restraints) may represent burden and restriction of one's spiritual vision and freedom.