Sometimes we experience frightening or disturbing dreams that leave us anxious and restless. According to Islamic teachings, there’s a proper way to respond to such bad dreams and protect ourselves from their possible harm. Let’s explore what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us in this regard.
Bad Dreams in Islam: What Do They Mean?
As narrated in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“A good dream is from Allah, and a bad dream is from Shaytan. So if any one of you sees a dream that he dislikes, let him spit lightly three times to his left and seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and it will not harm him.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
This means that good dreams are a blessing from Allah ﷻ, while bad, disturbing dreams are a whisper from Shaytan to upset the believer.
What Should You Do After a Bad Dream?
If you see a bad dream that causes fear or distress, follow these steps immediately upon waking:
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Spit lightly three times to your left side.
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Seek refuge in Allah (Ta’awwuz) by saying:
A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim
(I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil) -
Pray to Allah for protection from the harm of that dream.
You may say:O Allah, protect me from the evil of this dream and its effects.
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Avoid mentioning the dream to anyone.
According to hadith, sharing a bad dream can increase its influence or cause unnecessary fear.
Why Do Bad Dreams Happen?
Sometimes bad or strange dreams occur for other reasons too:
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Neglecting cleanliness before sleeping:
Islam emphasizes sleeping in a state of purity (wudhu) for protection and better rest. -
Overeating at night:
Eating heavy or excessive food before sleeping can disturb the body and mind, leading to restless sleep and disturbing dreams. -
Mental stress and overthinking:
Constant stress and negative thoughts can also trigger anxiety-filled dreams.
How to Prevent Bad Dreams in Islam?
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Perform wudhu (ablution) before going to bed.
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Recite Ayat-ul-Kursi, Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Naas, and Surah Al-Ikhlas.
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Sleep on your right side facing the Qibla.
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Avoid negative thoughts or fear-inducing content before sleeping.
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Eat light and balanced meals at night.
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Make dua (supplication) for protection before sleeping.
Final Words
Bad dreams are natural but can sometimes be a test from Shaytan. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) gave us simple yet powerful steps to protect ourselves from their effects. Always turn to Allah in such moments, follow the Sunnah guidance, and maintain spiritual purity for peaceful, blessed sleep.