“There are three kinds of dreams: the promptings of the heart, feared by Satan, and the good news from Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
While we were sleeping, dreams are unavoidable. We usually have dreams, good and bad ones. Some dreams come directly from Allah SWT (such as revelation to the Prophet) but there are also dreams that brought by Satan. The latter usually took form in negative dreams that lingers for a long time, makes us wondering what does it mean.
To avoid such things, we should know how to block negative dreams in Islam. Allah SWT will never sent us any of those negative dreams, so if we have one, it must be the work of Satan. So how to keep ourselves away from the touch of Satan through negative things while we sleep? Here are what we can do:
- Protecting Ourselves Through Salat
Before going to bed, make sure we have perform the Isha’ prayer. Prayer ensures protection from Allah SWT even we sleep. To create an even stronger protection, do additional sunnah prayer and ask for protection from Satan in the dua. The Prophet (peace be upon him),
“If one of you see in your dream the thing you hate then let stand for the prayer and do not tell it to others.” (Muslim)
- Making Dua Before Going to Bed
After doing Salat, the next thing we should do to avoid having negative dreams is by making dua. We have always be under remembrance of Allah SWT, including when we are about to go to sleep so that Satan would not penetrate into our minds. Allah SWT will protect us from the moment we fall asleep until we wake up. Also read Rules of Sleeping in Islam
“O Allah indeed I take refuge in You from all the actions of the Satan and from the ugliness of this dream.”
- Mention Allah’s Name Before Sleep
Seek for shelter and protection through Allah’s name. Say “Bismillah” whenever we are about to start something, including when we are going to sleep. It shows that we have faith in Allah and we are looking for protection from Him. Never forget to say “Bismillah” at the night before we go to our bed.
“However, the right one is saying “Bismillah”. If you say something like this, the Satan will grow smaller until he will be like a fly. “
- Creating a Shield by Taking Wudhu
Another ritual that shouldn’t be missed before sleeping at night is taking wudu’. If we take wudu before sleep and stay in purity, Allah SWT will send Angels down to the Earth to accompany us in our sleep. Also read How to Prevent Nightmares in Islam
As reported by Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (RA), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Purify these bodies and Allah will purify you, for any slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity has an Angel that spends the night with him. Every time he turns over, [the Angel] says, ‘O Allah! Forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.” (Tabarani)
[AdSense-B]
- Cleaning the Bed Before Sleep
This is a sunnah that our Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do when he lived. He used to clean his bed three times by his blanket before going to sleep. The purpose is to clean the bed and preventing Satan from coming near him during his sleep and causing his to have a negative dreams.
- Reading the Prophet’s Story Before Bed
There are so many values and lessons we can take from the life story of all 25 Prophets acknowledged in Islam. If we find ourselves hard to fall asleep at night, read one of the story so that we may go sleep in peace. Reading the story of the Prophets could strengthen our faith in Islam so that we are kept away from Satan during awake and asleep. Also read Akhlaq of Prophet Muhammad SAW
- Have a Positive Thoughts
Negativity invites Satan to come near us. Filling our mind with only positive things is important so that we have no room left to be filled with Satan. Do dhikr or say Allah’s name in the heart at night until we fall asleep. Thus, Allah SWT stays with us and provide us with protection until we wake up. Also read Etiquettes of Reading The Holy Quran
- Recite the Quran
One way to avoid negative dreams in Islam while we were sleeping is by reciting ayatul Kursy along with the last three surah in the Holy Quran. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“When you lie down on the bed, read the verse of Kursi until it is finished (thoroughly) because then Allah will always take care of you and Satan will not approach you until morning.” (Bukhari)
[AdSense-C]
- Change the Sleeping Position
Even we have done our best to protect ourselves from having negative dreams, it often unavoidable. When it happened, change your sleeping position right away as suggested by our Prophet (peace be upon him). Also read Prohibition of Sleep After Fajr Prayer
“… and let him change (shift from) his original sleeping position.” (Muslim)
- Be in Remembrance of Allah SWT
Other than changing sleep position, we should be in remembrance of Allah SWT right away after we had a negative dreams. Say “istighfar” as many times as possible until you feel your heart calmer and no longer afraid or anxious.
What to Do After Having a Negative Dreams
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) suggested to spit on the left side three times as soon as we wake up from a negative dream.
- Negative dreams is not something to be talked to anyone, so we better keep it to ourselves.
We have to do our best to keep ourselves away from Satan, since bad and negative dreams in Islam are caused by Satan. A good Muslim would do many good deeds to make themselves as close as possible to Allah SWT.
“That good dream is from Allah. While the bad dream is from the Satan.” (Bukhari and Muslim)