Almost
all
books by
the
Deobandis,
whether
the
Fazaail-e-Aamaal
for the
general
readers,
or
biographies
of
Deobandi
Shaikhs,
or books
explaining
Sufism
and
mysticism;
all
contain
in them
a
significant
amount
of
reported
dreams.
These
dreams
either
mention
glad-tidings
for the
Deobandi
School
of
Thought
and its
scholars
or
provide
supporting
evidence
for
their
beliefs
and
practices.
At
times,
the
Deobandis
claim
that
entire
books
may be
revealed
by way
of
dreams.
Therefore,
the
nature
and
significance
of the
information
or
knowledge
that may
be
received
through
dreams
need to
be
analyzed.
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said:
“The
(good)
dreams
of a
faithful
believer
are a
part of
the
forty-six
parts of
Prophethood.”[1]
He (sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said:
“Nothing
is left
of the
Prophethood
except
al-Mubashshirat.”
They
(the
Sahabah)
asked:
‘What is
al-Mubashshirat?’
He (sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
replied:
“The
true
dreams
(that
convey
glad
tidings).”[2]
From
these
Ahaadeeth
it is
clear
that all
aspects
of
Prophethood
including
the
revelation
of sure
and
accurate
information
has come
to an
end. The
only
benefit
that a
true
dream
gives is
that of
Mubashshirat
or glad
tidings.
Dreams
are not
a source
of
religious
injunctions,
because
the
religion
is
complete
and is
in no
need of
additions
or
alterations.
“This
day, I
have
perfected
your
religion
for you,
completed
My Favor
upon
you, and
have
chosen
for you
Islam as
your
religion.”[3]
Dreams
at the
most
provide
optimism
and
encouragement;
and that
is how
they
should
be
interpreted
as
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said:
“Indeed,
dreams
occur
according
to how
they are
interpreted…
So, if
any of
you has
a dream,
do not
relate
it
except
to a
confidant
or a
scholar.”[4]
Furthermore,
even
though
the
dreams
convey
glad
tidings…
The
Messenger
of Allah
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said:
“…Dreams
are of
three
types;
one good
dream
which is
a sort
of good
tiding
from
Allah;
the evil
dream
which
causes
pain is
from the
Shaytaan;
and the
third
one is a
suggestion
of one’s
own
mind…”[5]
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said: “A
good
dream
that
comes
true is
from
Allah…”[6]
This
Hadeeth
shows
that
only
after a
dream
come
true, it
may be
known
for sure
that it
is a
glad
tiding
and only
then it
may be
attributed
to
Allah.
In other
words,
there is
no
certain
way of
knowing
whether
the
dream is
a true
dream
until it
comes
true.
Interpreting
dreams,
especially
those
that
have a
symbolic
message
may not
be
completely
correct.
It is
mentioned
in
Saheeh
al-Bukharee
(vol. 9,
no: 170)
that Abu
Bakr
Siddeeq
(radhi
allahu
anhu)
interpreted
someone’s
dream.
Upon
hearing
the
interpretation,
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said: “You
are
right in
some and
wrong in
some.”[7]
So, even
someone
as
knowledgeable
as Abu
Bakr
Siddeeq
(radhi
allahu
anhu),
who was
so close
to
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
may not
be able
to
interpret
a dream
accurately!
These
Ahaadeeth
further
establish
that
unlike
the sure
and
accurate
information
that is
conveyed
to the
Messengers
by
revelation;
information
received
through
dreams
is
limited
in its
benefit,
is not
always
correct,
and is
bound by
uncertainty.
The
dreams
that are
seen by
the
Messengers
are an
exception
because
revelation
is
sometimes
conveyed
to them
through
dreams.
These
dreams
are
Indeed,
a source
of
accurate
knowledge
as
Aa’ishah
(radhi
allahu
anha)
narrates:
“The
commencement
of the
Divine
Inspiration
to
Allah’s
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
was in
the form
of good
righteous
dreams
in his
sleep.
He never
had a
dream
but that
it came
true
like
bright
daylight.”[8]
Also
those
dreams
that
were
interpreted
by the
Messenger
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
are a
source
of
guidance
because,
“… he
does not
speak of
(his
own)
desires.
It is
only a
revelation
sent
down to
him.”[9]
A good
example
of this
is the
Adhaan
that was
dreamt
by some
of the
Sahabah
and the
Messenger
of Allah
(sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
confirmed
the
dream to
be true,
and
introduced
the
Adhaan
as a
call to
the
prayers.
