Seeing the Holy Prophet Muhammad in a dream: How to know it was truly him

M Adam Ahmad, Al Hakam

According to sahih ahadith, only those dreams in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa is seen in his true form can be regarded as authentic. Such a vision is protected from satanic interference, whereas dreams in which his appearance does not correspond to his true description and physical characteristics cannot be considered free from such influence.

In Sahih al-Bukhari, Hazrat Anas^ra narrates:

قَالَ النَّبِیُّ صَلَّى اللّٰہ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّم ‏:‏ مَنْ رَآنِیْ فِیْ الْمَنَامِ فَقَدْ رَآنِیْ، فَإِنَّ الشَّیْطَانَ لاَ یًتَخَیَّلُ بِیْ

“The Holy Prophet^sa said, ‘Whoever witnessed me in a dream, then no doubt, they have seen me, for Satan cannot take on my shape [or form].’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6994)

On another occasion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa said:

مَنْ رَآنِیْ فِیْ الْمَنَامِ فَسَیَرَانِیْ فِیْ الْیَقَظَۃِ، وَلاََیَتَمَثَّلُ الشَّیْطَانُ بِیْ

“Whoever sees me in a dream shall indeed witness me in a state of wakefulness, for Satan cannot assume my form.” (Ibid., Hadith 6993)

In a similar hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hazrat Abu Hurairah^ra relates:

قَالَ النَّبِیُّ صَلَّى اللّٰہ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّم ‏:‏ مَنْ رَآنِیْ فِیْ الْمَنَامِ فَقَدْ رَآنِیْ، فَإِنَّ الشَّیْطَانَ لاََیَتَمَثَّلُ بِیْ

“The Holy Prophet^sa said, ‘He who sees me in a dream has indeed seen me, for Satan cannot appear in my form.’” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2266a)

The Hakam (judge) and ‘Adl (just arbiter) of this Age, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as has also expounded upon this matter, setting forth a clear criterion by which one may determine whether a person has truly been granted the honour of witnessing the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa in a dream, or whether such an experience has been influenced by Satan.

Satan’s deception

Explaining how Satan may adopt a deceptive appearance, the Promised Messiah^as states:

“It is apparent from authentic ahadith that when it comes to seeing the Holy Prophet^sa, only such dreams will be considered free from Satanic influence in which he is seen in his true form. For [the possibility of] Satan appearing in the form of a prophet is not only an accepted phenomenon, but it has actually happened. When the accursed Satan can appear in the likeness of God and in the manifestation of His throne, it is but a small matter for him to appear in the form of prophets.” (The Heavenly Decree [Asmani Faisla], p. 69)

Unawareness of the Holy Prophet’s^sa true features

Many people are not adequately informed about the true features and characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. As a result of this lack of knowledge, it becomes easier for Satan to adopt an unreal or deceptive form, thereby misleading a person into believing that what they have witnessed is authentic. The Promised Messiah^as states:

“Even if we accept that a person did see the Holy Prophet^sa in his dream, how are we to ascertain whether it was indeed the Holy Prophet^sa himself whom he saw? Since people in this age are not informed about the true features of the Holy Prophet^sa, and it is possible for Satan to adopt the unreal form of a person.” (Ibid.)

How to know if one truly saw the Holy Prophet^sa in a dream

Providing a clear criterion to determine if someone has truly witnessed the Holy Prophet^sa in a dream, the Promised Messiah^as states:

“The true indication for the people of the present age to know that they have actually seen (the Holy Prophet^sa) in a dream is that such a dream should be accompanied by some extraordinary and special features to prove that the dream is Divinely inspired. 

“For example, if the Holy Prophet^sa gives glad tidings of something before its occurrence, or gives news of some fated events before their actualisation, or tells in advance of the acceptance of certain prayers, or expounds such deeper meanings and subtleties of some verses of the Holy Quran as have not been written or published before, then no doubt such a dream be considered true.” (Ibid., pp. 69-70)

Conclusion

The Promised Messiah^as has thus provided clear guidance on how to distinguish whether a dream truly manifests the blessed personage of the Holy Prophet^sa or is a deception by Satan. This guidance not only helps us recognise authentic dreams but also emphasises the importance for Muslims to be familiar with the true physical appearance and character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. By undertaking a careful study of his true features and attributes, we can not only deepen our love for him but also build a strong relationship with the Holy Founder^sa of Islam.