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Lion in Dream in Islam: Fighting, Riding, Lion in House & Cub

Cited from Ibn Sirin · al-Jibali · al-Qafsi · 19 passages · 3 min read

In Urdu:khwab mein sher dekhna ki tabeerخواب میں شیر دیکھنے کی تعبیر

In short: a lion in a dream, according to the scholars

  • Ibn Sirin

    It symbolises a powerful and strong enemy. Fighting with a lion means one will soon fight an enemy that is strong and powerful.

  • al-Jibali

    a very powerful enemy

  • al-Qafsi

    Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe.

A dream is read as a whole. This is a guide for reflection, not a verdict.

All four classical books read here speak of the lion. Al-Qafsi writes at greatest length and records dreams brought to Ibn Sirin and to later interpreters, with a verse of the Qur'an. Ibn Sirin's own entry takes the lioness, a struggle with a lion, sleeping beside one and a lion in the house in turn. Al-Hathurani gives five short scenes, among them facing a lion, riding one and eating its meat. Al-Jibali gives four words, in an entry shared with the tiger.

Their words are grouped below by what happened with the lion: facing or fighting it, riding it, a lion in the house, the lioness and cub, and the lion's meat and skin. Where a scene rests on one book alone, the heading says so. A dream is read as a whole; take these as a starting point for reflection, not a verdict.

1

What a lion means in a dream in Islam

The four books do not describe the lion in the same terms; each is given.

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Lion

It symbolises a powerful and strong enemy. Fighting with a lion means one will soon fight an enemy that is strong and powerful.

al-JibaliThe Dreamer's Handbook (Muhammad Mustafa al-Jibali), p. 324 · Lion or tiger

a very powerful enemy

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

2

Facing or fighting a lion in a dream

Al-Hathurani separates meeting a lion from fighting it; Ibn Sirin and al-Qafsi each take the fight by its outcome.

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Facing a Lion

Facing or encountering a lion without becoming embroiled in a fight means a person will soon be terrorised by an authority or a powerful man. But no harm will come to him.

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

3

Riding a lion in a dream

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Riding a Lion

Riding a lion and directing it to go wherever one pleases means one will soon be endowed with power and one's enemy will soon be subdued.

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

4

A lion in the house, or sleeping beside a lion

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

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5

A lioness or a lion cub in a dream

Al-Qafsi records two dreams of a lion cub brought to Ibn Sirin; they sit inside the entry quoted here.

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

The lioness signifies the daughter of a king.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

6

Eating lion meat, or the skin of a lion

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Eating Lion Meat

The one who eats the meat will receive riches from some authority or a powerful person.

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · The Skin of the Lion

It symbolises the estates and inheritance of some brave, dignified and powerful person.

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life.

Read the full entry · 418 words

The lion is indicative of kings, p eople of authority and bandits. Ibn Sireen said: It represents a tyrant king from whom neither his friend nor his enemy is safe. A man said to him: I dreamt that there was a lion cub in my house. He said: You will marry one of the king's daughters. Another man said: I dreamt that I had a lion cub in my hand and I was looking after it. He said to him: Perhaps your wife is breast feeding the child of a man among them. He said: You are right. If a man dreams that a lion pounced on a mouse, his dream indicates that the king is suppressing his subjects. Cutting off the head of a lion is indicative of gaining authority. If the dreamer ate its head, he will gain power throughout his life. If he dreams that he is tending lions, he will make friends with powerful, op pressive Kings. The Faqeeh Abu'l - Qaasim ibn al - Shaykh dreamt that he put his hand in the mouth of the lion, then took it out, then he put it in again. He did that with several lions, until he had put his hand in the mouths of five lions and taken it out, a nd none of the lions harmed him. He served five kings and managed to remain safe, then he died a natural death in his own bed. If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge. The same applies to all dreams where the dreamer sees himself fleeing and he cannot see his pursuer, because Allah says: "So I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord has grantedme Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairsand Prophethood), and made me one of the Messengers."[Al-Shu'ara' 26:21] If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim. If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend. The lioness signifies the daughter of a king. If he dreams that he isintimate with her, he will attain a high p osition and subdue his enemy.

7

A lion entering a town (Ibn Sirin only)

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town.

Read the full entry · 158 words

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy. Seeing a lion without being seen, means escape from harm one may fear, attaining knowledge and growing in wisdom. A struggle with a lion that does not lead to one's death in a dream means observing a long lasting diet caused by an illness. If one fights with a lion and eats or snatches off a piece of his flesh, bones or hair in a dream, it means that he will attain success,leadership, wealth or conquer his enemy. Sleeping beside a lion in a dream means safety from illness, or protection from one's enemy. If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world. A lion entering a town in a dream means a plague that will strike such a town. (Also see Lioness)

Common questions

Is seeing a lion in a dream good or bad in Islam?

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Lion

It symbolises a powerful and strong enemy. Fighting with a lion means one will soon fight an enemy that is strong and powerful.

al-JibaliThe Dreamer's Handbook (Muhammad Mustafa al-Jibali), p. 324 · Lion or tiger

a very powerful enemy

What does fighting a lion in a dream mean?

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Facing a Lion

Facing or encountering a lion without becoming embroiled in a fight means a person will soon be terrorised by an authority or a powerful man. But no harm will come to him.

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If the dreamer dreams that he had a fight with a lion then he ran away from it and the lion could not see him, he will prevail ov er his enemy and will be safe from what he fears, and he may acquire knowledge.

What does riding a lion in a dream mean in Islam?

Ibn SirinDreams and Interpretations (Ibn Sireen, Hathurani tr.), p. 116 · Riding a Lion

Riding a lion and directing it to go wherever one pleases means one will soon be endowed with power and one's enemy will soon be subdued.

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If he dreams that he rides the lion and is afraid, a calamity may befallhim.

What does a lion in the house mean in a dream?

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

If one sees a lion inside his own house in a dream, it means that he will gain the upper hand, or it could represent longevity and a high position in the world.

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

If he dreams that the lion is in his house or he dreams that he isfriends with it and is not afraid of it, he will be safe from his enemy andhis enemy will become his friend.

What does a lioness or lion cub mean in a dream?

Ibn SirinIbn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.), p. 256 · Lion

A lioness in a dream represents ignorance, pride, affectation and perfidy.

al-QafsiInterpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.), p. 133 · Lion

The lioness signifies the daughter of a king.

More dream guides

Reflect on your own dream

Manam reads the whole dream and sets out what the classical scholars say, cited by name. It is a guide for reflection, not a verdict, and never a replacement for a knowledgeable scholar.