What should I do after a bad dream in Islam?
Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan and from the dream's evil, spit lightly three times to your left, turn onto your other side, and do not tell anyone, and the dream will not harm you. If you cannot settle, get up and pray. A bad dream is not a prophecy or a sign of anything to come.
The steps the Prophet ﷺ taught
Abu Qatadah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said a good dream is from Allah and a bad dream (hulm) is from Shaytan. When one of you sees a bad dream he does not like, "he should spit on his left side thrice and seek refuge with Allah from its evil; then it will not harm him" (Sahih Muslim 2261). Putting the hadith together, the steps are:
- Seek refuge: say "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the outcast), and ask for protection from the evil of what you saw.
- Spit lightly three times to your left. One narration says to spit "without saliva" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6995). It is just a soft puff of air, not real spit.
- Turn over: change the side you were lying on.
- Tell no one about the dream (Sahih al-Bukhari 6985).
- Pray if you can: the Prophet ﷺ said that if you see a dream you dislike, you should stand up and pray (Sahih Muslim 2263).
Why not tell anyone?
A frightening dream grows when it is repeated, and other people may try to interpret it in worrying ways. Keeping it to yourself stops it from taking on a life of its own. Good dreams are different: you may share them with someone you love and trust, but the same hadith warns not to broadcast them. See Do dreams mean anything in Islam?
Is a bad dream a sign?
No. The Prophet ﷺ said dreams come in three kinds: a good dream that is glad tidings from Allah, a painful dream from Shaytan, and a dream that is a suggestion of one's own mind (Sahih Muslim 2263). Many nightmares simply replay stress, tiredness or things you watched or read before bed. The promise in the hadith is clear: it will not harm you. So do not cancel your plans, avoid a person or change a decision because of a dream.
Children and repeated nightmares
Teach children a short version: "A'udhu billah," a light puff to the left, turn over and go back to sleep. A hug and calm words from a parent matter too, and a night light is fine.
If nightmares come often, are linked to trauma or make you afraid to sleep, see a doctor or therapist as well as following the sunnah. Seeking help fits perfectly with trust in Allah. To build a calm bedtime routine, see What should I say before sleeping? and How do I deal with nightmares as a Muslim?
- Seek refuge, spit lightly three times to the left, turn over, and tell no one.
- Pray if you can; the dream will not harm you (Sahih Muslim 2261).
- A bad dream is not a prophecy and should not change your decisions.
- Frequent nightmares deserve medical advice too.
People also ask
Who are Munkar and Nakir?
Munkar and Nakir are the two angels who question a person in the grave. Learn who they are, the three questions they ask and how Allah steadies believers.
Read the full answer →Where do the children of non-Muslims go in the afterlife?
Where do the children of non-Muslims go after death? Many scholars say children who die before accountability are not punished; Allah knows best.
Read the full answer →What language will people speak in Jannah?
No verse or hadith in the main collections names the language of Jannah, so only Allah knows. Learn what the Quran says about speech there.
Read the full answer →What is the tree of Tuba in Jannah?
Tuba is the Quran's word for the bliss of believers, and some reports name a great tree of Paradise with it. Learn what the authentic sources say.
Read the full answer →What is the sun rising from the west in Islam?
The sun rising from the west is a major sign of the Last Day after which delayed belief and repentance will not be accepted. See what Islam says.
Read the full answer →