Friday, 4 November 2016

2nd & 3rd Dream in the Qur’an - DREAMS IN ISLAM



2nd. and 3rd. Dreams:

The Qur’an declared that Allah Most High taught Joseph the interpretation of dreams:

“Thus does thy Lord choose thee, and teach thee the interpretation of stories (i.e., dreams).” 
(Qur’an: Yusuf:-12:6)

and, as a consequence, his reputation for interpreting dreams must have spread throughout  the prison after his imprisonment in Egypt. Two prisoners approached him with their dreams. According to the Biblical account (not contradicted by the Qur’an) they were the King’s cupbearer and baker, both of whom were imprisoned for unspecified offences.  The Qur’an portrayed Joseph  correctly interpreting the dreams of  the two prisoners, dreams which they themselves, like the earlier young Joseph, could not interpret.

In the first instance  the dream communicated, through the symbol of the pouring of wine for the King, the happy news of immanent freedom and a return to the employ of the King.  In the second, the tragic news of execution was conveyed through the symbols of birds eating from a basket of bread held on the head of the dreamer. In both instances, the dreams communicated information of vital personal importance  relating, this time, to immediate  future events which were to take place in the lives of the individuals who had the dreams:

“Two young men went to prison with him (Joseph).  One of them said: I saw (in a dream) that I was pressing grapes.  And the other said: I saw (in a dream) that I was carrying bread on my head, and that birds came and ate of it.”   (And both entreated Joseph) Let us know the real meaning of this. Verily, we see that you are one of those who well know (how to interpret dreams).  
 (Qur’an: Yusuf:-12:36)

Joseph sallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam  correctly interpreted both dreams.  And both turned out to be true dreams:

“(And now) O my companions in the prison!  I shall tell you the meaning of your dreams:) As to one of you he will (again)  pour out wine for his lord (the King) to drink: but as for the other, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. (But whatever be your future,) the matter on which you have asked me to enlighten you has been decided (by Allah).”
 (Qur’an: Yusuf:-12:41)

It is significant that a true dream can also communicate sad news, or news of a tragedy.  As a consequence Islam has given a certain Ada (etiquette) for a listener when he is about to listen to a dream someone wishes to disclose. 14

A dream can also be the means through which Allah Most High informs us of His displeasure, disappointment or even anger with us or with someone close to us.  Unless the servant of Allah Most High is careful enough in monitoring his or her dreams, he/she may not recognize a ‘wake up’ call from Allah Most High and may, as a consequence, suffer greatly from that act of ignorance, indifference or carelessness.       
 

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