Question
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
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یہ صفحہ اردو میں بھی موجود ہے۔ زبان کی تبدیلی کے لیے نیچے بٹن دبائیں۔
I have a dream whose Islamic interpretation I wish to know. I saw in a dream that I was with the person I love, and we were both together. In the dream, there was not much physical intimacy between us, we were just talking and were close. But a woman was continuously watching us and could not take her eyes off us.
I saw this dream at the time when I and that person had reconnected.
Further details are that we are not married, we only talk to each other, have contact over the phone, and have also met. In reality, there has also been some physical closeness between us, but we do not live in the same country; he lives in another country and I live in another country. My age is 20 years and his age is 24 years. He works at an Audi car factory and I am currently unemployed.
Our relationship has been quite turbulent. We have known each other for about 4 years. First, we were together for about 1 year, then separated. After that, there was no contact for about 2 years. Then we came close again and the relationship lasted for about 1 year. It was during this second time we came together that I saw this dream. Now we have separated again and do not even communicate.
It also occurs to me that perhaps the repeated separations in our relationship are happening due to some magic, binding, or an act against fate. I want to know:
Is the woman in my dream a sign of some envy, evil eye, obstacle, or enmity?
Can this dream be considered an indication of magic or binding?
Or is it merely my heart, fear, and the state of the relationship?
Please guide me in the light of the Quran, Sunnah, and reliable Islamic interpreters.
Jazakum Allahu Khairan
Answer:
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
Respected sister, according to the details of your question, the point is that it would not be correct to immediately attribute this dream to “magic.” In Islamic principles, the interpretation of dreams is speculative, not definitive, meaning it is not 100% certain. And a person’s own psychological state, relationships, fears, hopes, and preoccupations of the heart also greatly influence dreams. That is why interpretation is not rushed.
Dreams also occur due to thoughts, whispers, and fears of the heart and mind
The dream you saw, that you and that person are together, and a woman is continuously watching, a very likely interpretation of this is that this dream is a reflection of “the heart’s attachment” and “apprehensions.” In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that dreams are of three types: one is glad tidings from Allah, one is from Satan to cause distress, and one is related to the matters of a person’s own self/heart. Imam Abdul Ghani al-Nabulsi (may Allah have mercy on him) also mentioned this same principle in his book Ta’teer al-Anam, and even gave a clear example that a person can see in a dream the person “whom their heart loves” — meaning this could also be “hadith al-nafs” (whispering of the self).
A woman staring at two lovers in a dream
As for the matter of that woman continuously watching, it is not necessary to necessarily fit it onto some real woman. Because dreams are not like the real world; rather, in them, some situations and events are formed (i.e., shown in a visible state). Ancient interpreters, especially Imam al-Nabulsi (may Allah have mercy on him), in several places, interpret an “unknown woman” as worldly affairs, changing circumstances, or some worldly obstacle/test (for example, in some places they give meanings like “the coming of the world” or “the world turning away”). Similarly, under “looking with a sharp/sidelong gaze,” he writes that this could indicate deceit, malice, or harboring ill-will in the heart. Therefore, in your dream, that woman could also be a sign of envy, an obstacle, or external pressure/gaze on the relationship — it is not necessary that she is a specific real woman. This could be an indication of future discord in circumstances and relationships.
If the dream indicates an envier, what should be done?
Another important point in this regard is: In the Holy Quran, a prayer for protection from envy has been taught itself, “and from the evil of an envier when he envies” (Surah Al-Falaq 113:5). Therefore, if the feeling of “evil eye,” “burning,” or “gaze” comes in a dream, its cure is Tawheed, remembrances, and seeking refuge in Allah — not immediately falling into superstitions and ruining one’s faith and peace.
A bad dream does not always indicate magic
As you also mentioned that perhaps it is “magic,” Islam does not deny the existence of magic, and it is also mentioned in the Quran that people used to learn such magic that would cause separation between husband and wife, but at the same time it is also clear that they cannot harm anyone without Allah’s permission. Therefore, the principle is that sorcery is possible, but it is not correct to consider every failure, every breakup, or every obstacle as magic. First, one should look at one’s own actions, decisions, and the manner of the relationship.
Unlawful love is the cause of non-peacefulness leaving the heart and life
According to the details you yourself provided, the relationship was without marriage, and there was also physical closeness. This is not permissible according to Shariah, and often in such relationships, there are many emotions but blessing, peace, and stability diminish. Imam al-Nabulsi (may Allah have mercy on him) has also mentioned, under the heading of “love/infatuation in a dream,” in some cases, its meaning as a trial, negligence, and loss in religion/wealth; this does not mean that every love is forbidden or every dream is bad, rather it is a warning that if love proceeds on an unlawful path, it entangles both the heart and life. Allah Almighty has clearly stated: “And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life” (Surah Taha, 20:124). Remember, remembrance here does not only mean verbal remembrance but also acting upon all of Allah’s commandments, among which are unlawful relationships (even talking unnecessarily with a non-mahram man, and especially conversations of love and infatuation).
A balanced interpretation of your dream
Therefore, a more balanced Islamic interpretation of this dream is that, on one hand, it shows your intense love and emotional attachment (hadith al-nafs) to this person, and on the other hand, it points towards envy, an obstacle, or some external/psychological pressure. Do not consider it a definitive divine decree, but rather consider it a warning that relationships should be brought onto the lawful path, otherwise repeated breakups and entanglements can become the norm.
Practical steps for you to take
Practically, the better path for you is: 1. Make sincere repentance, 2. Completely avoid contact and physical closeness with non-mahrams, 3. If this person is truly serious, then the discussion should only be about the path of marriage; other talks of love and infatuation and flirtation without marriage are forbidden, which, according to Allah’s declaration, is the cause of constriction and difficulties in life, i.e., in every matter. 4. If marriage is not possible, then withdrawing the heart according to Allah’s command is the good. 5. Before sleeping, reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas and blowing is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him); this also clears up serious issues like envy and magic. 6. In the case of a disturbing dream, it is better to turn to Allah instead of narrating it to everyone.
May Allah Almighty grant you the ability to make the right decision and live a pious life with peace and contentment of the heart while walking on the correct path, and grant protection from all envy and evil.
واللہ اعلم بالصواب
