Dreaming Of The Prophet Muhammad SAW
It is very fortunate to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in a dream.
Two points however should well be considered in this connection:
The first, as written by Sheikh Ashraf Ali Thanwi RA:
"It is really a source of great consolation, and a great favour for a person who has not seen the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW live, to see him in a dream. However, it should be borne in mind that it can not be acquired, rather it is granted by Allah."
A Persian poet says:
"This felicity cannot be earned through strength but only when Allah grants and bestows."
Many people have devoted their whole lives in the hope of this fortune. One might have succeeded if he sends Salawat upon the Holy Prophet SAW abundantly and follows his ways with love and eagerness. Nevertheless, if a person is not successful, he should not be worried because it may be due to some unknown Wisdom and the Mercy of Allah. A lover only wants the pleasure of his beloved whether it is because of union or due to separation.
Secondly, if a person saw the Holy Prophet SAW in his dream, he really and certainly saw him. This is supported by authentic and strong Ahadith. It has been verified that Shaytaan has not been empowered to change himself in the guise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in a dream or that he may declare himself as the Prophet Muhammad SAW in a dream. It is also impossible that the person dreaming may misunderstand Shaytaan as the Holy Prophet SAW. May Allah continuously protect us from this.
It is stated in a Hadith, Abu Hurairah RA reports that the Apostle of Allah SAW said:
"He who sees me in a dream has certainly seen me, because Shaytaan cannot take my form." (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Muhadditheen (scholar-commentators of hadith) have mentioned various opinions regarding its meanings.
Mulla Ali Qari RA whilst commentating on this hadith writes in Mirqat:
"It is like he has seen the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in real life, but he will not be considered as to be a Sahabi, neither is it obligatory to carry out the orders given to him by the Holy Prophet SAW within the dream."
Mulla Ali Qari RA further writes in Mirqat that some people are of the opinion that this hadith is concerning those people present at the time of the Prophet SAW. This means that those who see Rasulullah SAW in a dream, Allah will enable them to see Rasulullah SAW in real life.
This opinion is also supported by another hadith in Mishkat, whereby Abu Hurairah RA reports that the Apostle of Allah SAW said:
"He who saw me in a dream will soon see me when he is awake, for Shaytaan cannot take my form." (Mishkat)
Those people who claimed to have received special guidance from the Holy Prophet SAW in a dream cannot be denied. It should be kept in mind that, if the orders and guidance received by them is in accordance with the laws of Shari'ah then it will be a source of evidence for themselves and not for others. However, if the guidance is contrary to the Laws of Shari'ah then it will not be accepted nor will it be a source of evidence for anyone.
The reason for this is that not every person is privileged enough to understand dreams and their interpretations. Peoples' dreams can differ by their own personality. Seeing the Holy Prophet SAW in unclear and strange circumstances can be based on the weakness of the person's Imaan.
It is reported by Sheikh Ali Muttaqi RA that a person saw the Holy Prophet SAW in a dream ordering him to consume alcohol. He became very disturbed by this dream; thus he referred to the Ulam of his time to find out the interpretation and explanation of his dream. The scholars gave various explanations about his dream. During this, the issue came to Sheikh Muhammad bin Uraat RA who was a very pious scholar, he said that the fact is that the Holy Prophet SAW said, "Do not consume alcohol." However, due to his misunderstanding and the disorder of his mind he understood the contrary and heard him saying, "Consume alcohol." Rather than do not consume alcohol." (Mazahirul Haq)
The Grand Sheikhul Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya RA said in his kitab entitled, "The Virtues of Salawat" that:
"It is possible that due to the person's bad habits, the Prophet SAW said the words with great anger. In the same way that a person who is angry over his son says to him, 'go on do it' and the dreamer thought that it was a mere order from the Prophet SAW."
From the above mentioned passage we can gather for ourselves that misguided people who introduce religious innovations based upon dreams, attributing them to the Holy Prophet SAW are totally contradicting the way of Shari'ah and are certainly astray from the Siratul Mustaqim. Such people should immediately resort to repentance.
The Holy Prophet SAW has condemned those who introduce innovations in religion in various Ahadith. It is reported in one of them that, A'ishah RA narrates that the Apostle of Allah SAW said:
"He who innovates something in this religion of ours, which does not belong to it, is repulsed." (Mishkat)
It is also stated in another Hadith, Ibrahim bin Maysara RA narrates that the Apostle of Allah SAW said,
"He who showed respect for an innovator, has infact assisted in undermining Islam." (Mishkat)
It should also be kept in mind that even if somebody saw the Prophet Muhammad SAW in his/her dream and yet continued to disobey Allah and did not earn His pleasure, then that will not be sufficient for salvation. Even during the days of the Prophet Muhammad SAW there were numerous people who were seeing the Holy Prophet SAW every day, yet remain as dwellers of Hell, because Imaan had not reached their hearts and they did not earn the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala.
On the other hand, others - like Uwais Qarni RA did not see the Holy Prophet SAW but are considered among the very pious, and true Muslims. Uwais Qarni RA is considered as the greatest of Tabi'in.
It is stated by Saiyidina Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA in a Hadith that:
"I heard the Apostle of Allah SAW saying - "The best of the Tabi'in will be a man called Uwais who has a mother and has been afflicted by leprosy. Tell him to ask forgiveness for you." (Riwayat Muslim)
On the other hand Abu Jahal used to see the Holy Prophet SAW regularly but did not accept Islam.
From the above mentioned we deduce that just to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in a dream and not carrying out the orders of Shari'ah is not sufficient for salvation.
Imam Nawawi RA says:
"If a person sees the Holy Prophet SAW in his dream, it is true disregarding the fact that he sees his recognised features and qualities or otherwise. The differences in appearance are due to the good or bad habits and qualities of the person who sees him in his dream. The person who sees him with his good qualities would be related to piety and it will be assign on the strength of his Imaan. However if someone sees him in unrecognised conditions then this will need interpretations from a person who is qualified in this field. According to people's own personalities their dreams could differ. Some dream him old while others young. Some see him pleased while others find him annoyed."
From the above we can conclude that to see the Holy Prophet SAW in a dream will need to be interpreted and to dream him is a test for ones own personality.
Every Muslim has the desire to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in his/her dream. The desire increases more and more due to the love and affection. Many great saints have written various exercises and deeds out of their own experience, which may help, in seeing the Holy Prophet SAW in a dream.
The following mentions one way which will assist in seeing the blessed Prophet Muhammad SAW in a dream, prescriptions taken from collections of the pious Ulama and Mashaaikh of Islam.
If a person offers two raka'ats of optional Nawafil Solat and then recites twenty five times Surah Al-Ikhlas after Surah Al-Fatihah in each raka'at, and thereafter recites one thousands times the Salawat, he/she will see the Holy Prophet SAW in his dream, InshaAllah.
However, it should be kept in mind that the main cause of seeing the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW, the desire of the heart, abundant Salawat and refraining from sins. May Allah enable us to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW in our dream and give us the true understanding of Deen. Ameen.
Once, one of the students of a Darul Ulum (an institution producing traditional scholars of Islam) asked his principal, "Why do I not see the Holy Prophet SAW in my dreams even though I perform Salawat regularly?"
His principal replied, "It is our duty to keep reciting and it is not right for us to call him to our dream. If he wishes he will come. It is not right to try and force a king to visit your home. Similarly we should just keep up our rituals and hope that one day the rituals will prove faithful and we will achieve our goal."
O Allah my Lord! Shower Thy Blessings and Send Eternal Peace Upon Thy Beloved - Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam - The Best Of All Creation.
