Hadith #10762

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

المُستَثقِلُ النّائِمُ تُكَذِّبُهُ أحلامُهُ

which translates to

One who is deep in sleep is belied by his dreams.

This amazing Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the concept that dreams should not be taken as absolute truth or relied upon as a source of guidance.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first analyze the key words. "المُستَثقِلُ" refers to someone who is deeply immersed or engrossed in sleep, while "النّائِمُ" refers to the person who is asleep. "تُكَذِّبُهُ" means that the dreams of this person deceive or betray him.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Yusuf (12:44), we find the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and his interpretation of dreams. When two prisoners approached him seeking interpretation, he said,

No food will come to you as your provision, but I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. This is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah, and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers.

From this ayah, we understand that Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) attributed his ability to interpret dreams to the teachings of Allah. He did not rely solely on dreams but sought guidance from Allah to provide accurate interpretations. This teaches us that dreams alone should not be taken as absolute truth, as they can be influenced by various factors such as personal desires, fears, and subconscious thoughts.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:73), Allah says,

And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in truth. And the day He says, 'Be,' and it is, His word is the truth. And His is the dominion on the Day the Horn is blown. [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed; and He is the Wise, the Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that Allah is the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. Dreams fall under the category of the unseen, and only Allah has complete knowledge of their true meanings. Therefore, it is essential for Muslims to seek guidance from Allah and His teachings rather than solely relying on dreams.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the importance of discernment and critical thinking. Dreams can be influenced by our subconscious mind, external factors, and personal biases. Therefore, blindly following dreams without seeking guidance from Allah and His teachings can lead to deception and misinterpretation.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to rely on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) for guidance in all matters, including dreams. It encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding from reliable sources and to approach dreams with caution and rationality.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us that dreams should not be taken as absolute truth or relied upon as a source of guidance. Instead, we should seek guidance from Allah and His teachings, as exemplified by Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can avoid deception and misinterpretation, and ensure that our actions are based on true knowledge and understanding. May Allah guide us all on the path of wisdom and righteousness.