And He also says

Then we saved him and those with him in the boat. (6) Similarly, if someone dreams that a king has entered someone's house or a certain town contrary to his (the king's) normal habit, then this could be interpreted as some calamity befalling that house or town; or the humiliation of the noble people of such a town. This interpretation is given in the light of the following aayah: Surely, kings, when they enter a country, they despoil it and make the noblest of its people its meanest. (7) Similarly, garments could be interpreted as women in the view of this verse: They (your wives) are your garments and you are their garments. Examples of Ta'beer from the Hadeeth (1) A crow may be interpreted as a shameless and corrupt person because Rasoolullah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) named the crow as laasiq, meaning shameless, corrupt etc. (2) A mouse could be interpreted as a shameless and licentious woman because Rasoolullah (sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) has said that a mouse is corrupt and shameless. In the above Hadeeth the word faasiqah is used which is norm ally used for describing a co...pt and licentious woman. (3) And the rib would mean a woman in the light of this Hadeeth: "A woman is created from a crooked rib" (4) A doorsill or threshold may je interpreted as a woman because it is narrated that Ibraheem (AS) said to his son, Isma'eel (AS): "Change your doorsil", meaning "your wife". There are thus, countless examples of delivering interpretation in the light of the Ahadeeth. Examples of Ta'beer According to General Usage of Language (1) If a person sees that his arm is long, it means that he will treat people with kindness and generosity because the Arabic expression his arm is longer than yours means that he is more generous than you. (2) Carrying wood in the dream means tale-bearing and gossip. " ping. In Arabic the expression he carries or is carrying wood is used when one carries gossip from one person to another. (3) To see oneself or someone else as sick is interpreted as "hypocrisy". In Arabic the expression so-and-so is sick in his promise is used when someone does not fulfil his promise. (4) Mucus in the dream symbolises a son because the expression the mucus of the lion is used when a son resembles his father. (5) To see someone throwing a stone at another or shooting an arrow at another or aiming a weapon at him means that such a person is talking bad of the other person because in Arabic, the expression so-and-so shot at another is used when someone backbites about another or falsely accuses him. (6) To see oneself or another washing the hands with soap may be interpreted as despair, despondency and loss of hope. The expression I have washed my hands off you with ushnaan is • used when a person loses all hope of acquiring any good or benefit from another. : These are only a few examples to demonstrate that many an interpretation depends on daily usage of the Arabic Language, idioms, proverbs and expressions. There are countless examples of this. Examples of Interpretation According to the Overt Meaning of Names _ lf a person bearing a certain name is seen in the dream or such a name is heard in the dream then the interpretation will be given according to the meaning of the name. Examples follow: Fadhi, Faadhil, Afdhal denote excellence, superiority, kindness, generosity, honour etc. Rasheed, Raashid, Arshad denote treading the straight path, to be preserved from error, be well guided, right conduct etc. Saleem, Saalim, Aslam denote soundness, safety, healthy, be . without blemish, to be good-natured etc. Examples of Interpretation According to the Covert or Deeper Meaning of Words A flower in bloom such as a narcissus or rose denotes shortness • of life or imminent death since flowers do not remain forever. They are normally short-lived. Hence, a similar interpretation will be given regarding the person who owns or possesses flowers or towards whom such flowers are associated. Such exam-. 4 : ples are many. Interpretation According to the Contrasting Meaning of Things Seeing oneself as weeping will be interpreted as joy and happiness as long as such weeping is not done with sound, screaming or tearing one's collar to pieces as when mourning. On the contrary joy, happiness, merry-making, laughter, dancing etc. will be interpreted as grief and sorrow. Similarly, if two persons are seen fighting in the dream then the one who loses the battle will be the one to gain victory. Similarly, if a person sees himself being cupped it means he will be compelled to fulfil certain conditions in an agreement or contract. Or if a person sees himself being made to agree on certain conditions, it means he will get cupped. The reason being that in Arabic the word shart (condition) is sometimes used to mean "cupping*" (*Cupping: The use of a cupping glass from which the air has been exhausted, to draw blood to the surface of the skin _ Collins.) Entering the Grave If a person sees himself being admitted or lowered in the grave it means he will be imprisoned. Or if a person sees himself being imprisoned in a place which is unknown to him and the people of such a place are also unknown to him, it means he will enter the grave. Attack or Assault If a person sees an enemy attacking or assaulting a group of people, it means a calamity in the form of a storm or flood is imminent. A Swarm of Locusts A swarm of locusts in one's dream represents an army. And an army of soldiers represents a swarm of locusts which will cause havoc and destruction. If a swarm of locusts is seen approaching or flying without buzzing it represents one's wealth which one had accumulated secietly. But if it is with a buzzing sound it means enmity and hatred. Long Hair Hair is interpreted as wealth and beauty. But if such hair falls upon the face or tufts of hair is seen on the cheek it suggests grief and sorrow. According to some people it could suggest beautiful garments as well. Hair which is intertwined or folded or wrapped suggests that ill will be spoken of the observer of such a dream and that he will not be able to defend himself. Feathers and Wings If a person sees himself having feathers and two wings it suggests that he will acquire wealth and riches. If he sees himselt flying it means he will undertake a journey. Severed Hand If a person sees his hand severed and while lifting such a hand, it remains attached to his body it means he will derive some benefit from his brother or son. But if the severed hand is completely detached it means he will suffer some loss caused by his brother or son. Illness and Recovery If a sick person sees himself as having recovered or sees himself. as healthy and then leaves his house after conversing (with someone) it means that he will recover. But if he does not speak to anyone it means he will die. Cities, Towns and Villages Cities, towns and villages imply that the observer of such a dream will encounter unchaste women if such places are not of multiple colours. And if they are black and white then it suggests day and night _ ie. the alternating of day and night and the passing of time. Fish If a person sees a specific number of fish in his dream it suggests that he will come into contact with a woman or he will marry a woman. But if its number or quantity is unknown it means he will acquire wealth or booty. ..6 Interpretation According to the Varying Conditions of People If a righteous and noble person sees himself as handcuffed or placed in a pillory* it means he will remain safeguarded against mischief and wickedness. But if the observer of such a dream is wicked it suggests that he will commit excessive sins due to which he will be doomed to hell-fire. May Allah, through His infinite mercy, save us from hell-fire. Ameen. *Pillory: a wooden board with holes for the head and hands in which petty offenders were formerly locked and exposed to public scorn.) Interpretation according to Varying Times If a person dreams during the night that he is mounted on an elephant it suggests that he will profit immensely from a certain affair or contract or task. But if such a dream is observed during the day it means he will divorce his wife. Times in which Dreams are Most Potent It must be borne in mind that the most authentic dreams are the ones observed in the latter part of the night and during Qayloolah (sleeping at midday) and during the day. Dreams during the fruit-ripening season and fruit-selling season are also very potent. The most inopportune time wherein dreams hardly have any significant meaning is during the winter season and when rain is imminent. Facts to be Taken into Consideration Before a Mu'abbir Interprets a Dream It is imperative that the mu'abbir or interpreter understands fully and properly every detail of a dream seen by any person. He should be able to weigh it on the scale of the rules of interpretation. If the numerous facts emerging from a dream are such that they correspond with each other logically then such a dream will be deemed as a genuine and authentic dream. But if the facts emerging from such a dream are such that they do not correspond with each other then the interpreter should reflect on the apparent meaning of the words. Whichever meaning is nearest to the rules of interpretation, such a meaning should be adopted. If a dream is of a complicated nature so that it cannot be weighed on the scale of the rules of interpretation then such a dream will be deemed as meaningless. If a certain dream causes the interpreter to become dubious then he should appeal to the conscience of the observer of such a dream: if the dream concerns Salaah, he should question him about Salaah; if it concerns a journey he should question him about the journey; if it concerns marriage, he should question him about marriage. Thereafter, the mu'abbir will interpret to the best of his knowledge. The interpreter should be extremely cautious when interpreting a dream: if the dream evidences obscenity and indecency he should either use pleasant words when interpreting it or simply avoid interpreting it. It is necessary for a mu'abbir to establish the biological and logical classification of things and give its interpretation accordingly. The biological and logical classification of things can be made as follows: (a) geneses (b) species (c) nature and characteristics. Examples of Geneses of Things Trees, voracious animals and birds. If these are seen in ones dream (individually or collectively) they may very likely mean men. Examples of Species A specific tree like the date tree or a walnut tree. The date tree may be interpreted as an honourable Arab gentleman since date trees are mainly indigenous to Arab countries. As for the walnut tree, it represents a non-Arab person since these trees do not grow in the land of the Arabs. The same applies to birds. If a bird is huge it symbolises an Arab gentleman; a peacock represents a non-Arab gentleman. Examples of the Nature and Characteristics of Things A date tree. This may be interpreted as total goodness and virtue since the date tree is regarded as a tree constituting total goodness as is known from the Hadeeth. On the other hand a walnut tree may be interpreted as a person who is deceptive as well as quarrelsome. Why? Because it is by nature very hard and its core cannot be attained until broken or split open. The nature of birds is to fly. Therefore, the one towards whom a bird is associated may be said to be travelling very often and widely. A peacock may be interpreted as a wealthy non-Arab king who adopts much embellishments and who has many followers. The • same applies to a royal white falcon or eagle. But if it is a crow or a magpie, it represents an evil person. As shown in the above examples, the Mu'abbir should be able to draw analogies before interpreting a dream. If he does so, he will be rightly-guided, by the will of Allah. And guidance is from Allah alone. Seeing Allahin the Dream