Dreams in Christian Arabia - DREAMS IN ISLAM

Dreams in Christian Arabia

Even in the youth of the Prophet sallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam we are told about the Christian hermit, Baheera, who succeeded in meeting with the Prophet sallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam after (perhaps) seeing in a dream that the future Prophet sallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, who was still a boy, would soon be passing by his cave in a caravan.¹⁰

Even more significant than Baheera’s dream was the dream of the Byzantine Christian ruler of Greater Egypt (which included Syria), Heraclius, in which he saw the emergence of the new conqueror of the world arising from amongst the circumcised:

“Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of Ilya’ (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting Ilya’ (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning in a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was an astrologer. He replied, ‘At night (i.e., during a dream) when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (and would become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?’ The people replied, ‘Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews).  Just issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.’

While they were discussing it, a messenger, who had been sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah’s Apostle to Heraclius, was brought in. Having heard the news he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about  the Arabs. The messenger replied, Arabs also practice circumcision.’

 

(After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the  Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs (a town in Syria), and stayed there until he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, ‘O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).’

(On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience.

(When they returned) he said, ‘What was said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.’ The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius’s story (in connection with his faith). 

(Bukhari)

We have recorded these dreams from pagan and Christian Arabia that they  might jolt the consciousness of today’s Muslims who possess the complete Truth  and yet pay less or no attention to dreams.

Let us now begin our subject proper by examining the dreams that were sent down by Allah Most High to certain of His servants and which were recorded in the Qur’an.  What were those dreams?  What epistemology do they establish?  And what are their importance?

Source: Dreams in Islam by Imran Hosein
To be continued ....