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Back

Covered by 2 scholars · Body & Health

What does back mean in a dream in Islam?

Ibn Sirin: In a dream, the back of a human being represents what people hold for him of praises or blame, acceptance or rejection, honor or humiliation, or it could represents one's debts.

al-Qafsi: The back of a man refers to his status and if his back is bent, that isindicative of calamity and may indicate that he will turn grey quickly.

Interpret your dream →A dream is read as a whole. Full entries from each scholar follow.

Imam Ibn Sirin

Ibn Seerin's Dictionary of Dreams (Al-Akili tr.) · p. 26
Aspects: Behind · Posterior · Rear side

In a dream, the back of a human being represents what people hold for him of praises or blame, acceptance or rejection, honor or humiliation, or it could represents one's debts. Seeing the back of a human being in a dream also means following his tracks or practices. If a positive look manifests therein, such as a sweet fragrance or the emergence of a radiant light, or if it turns into iron in the dream, it signifies one's gratitude regarding his own condition. In a dream, the rear side of the human being represents his outward appearance or what renders the human being accept­ able, or it could represent his garment, an ostentatious person, a show of grandeur, pride about one's social class, a show of being wealthy, the surround­ ings of one's house, the outskirts of a town, the outer display of one's religion or his school of thought. A broken back in a dream means fear, distress and sorrow. If one sees his rear side dark in color, black or red in a dream, it means that he may suffer from physical abuse and beating during a fight. Seeing one's own back in a dream also could mean buying new clothing, or it could mean feeling strong because of one's knowledge, his son, power, political connections, wealth or property. Seeing one's back in a dream also could mean to repudiate one's wife. If one's back is seared or cauterized in a dream, it denotes stinginess, or it could mean that he fails to comply with God's rights upon him. If one sees his back bent in a dream, it means a misfortune. If one sees the back of his friend in a dream, it means that his friend will turn his back to him at times when he needs him most. If one sees the back of his enemy in a dream, it means that he will be guarded against his threats. If one sees the back of an old woman in a dream, it means that the world is turning its back to him. If she is in her middle age in the dream, it means that he is seeking something hard to obtain. If she is a young woman in the dream, it means that he is expecting something and must be patient to acquire it. One's back also represents old age. Back pain in a dream means poverty, sickness, debility, imprisonment of one's boss or the death of a brother. One's back in a dream also represents one's dependence on a strong person. If one sees himself carrying a heavy load on his back in a dream, it means debts, or a vicious neighbor. A broken back in a dream means losing one's strength and power, or it could mean one's death. If a sick person sees his back broken in a dream, it means that the person who is taking care of him may die shortly, or it could mean that he will suffer from poverty. Carrying burdens over one's back in a dream means sins. Carrying a coffin or a load of merchandise over one's back in a dream means carrying forgotten debts that will surface at awkward times. Carrying wood over one's back in a dream means backbiting, slandering people and reporting lies. Carrying a heavy load over one's back in a dream also means having many children with little money to sustain them. Seeing a hunchbacked person in a dream means prosperity, longevity or having a large family. (Also see Backbone; Backside; Body')

See also: Backbone, Backside, Body

Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi

Interpretations of Dreams (Ibn Raashid Al-Bakri Al-Qafsi, Darussalam tr.) · p. 166

The back of a man refers to his status and if his back is bent, that isindicative of calamity and may indicate that he will turn grey quickly. Seeing a friend's back is indicative of his turning away and forsakingthe dreamer. Seeing an enemy's back is indicative of being safe fromhis evil. Seeing an old woman's back is indicative of the passing of thisworld. Seeing a young man's back dignifies delay in obtaining worldlypleasures.

More dreams about back

5 related dreams from the classical books, each cited to its scholar.

  • Carrying a Sheep on the Back

    Ibn Sirin: It means he will bear the expenses of another person.

  • Lower back

    Discussed under a related entry.

  • Lying on One’s Back

    al-Qafsi: If a person dreams that he is lying on his back, he will become more powerful and have stronger authority, because the ground is a strong support, so this world will be under his control.

  • Placing the Ka'bah Behind One's Back

    Ibn Sirin: If a person sees himself placing the Ka'bah behind his back or performing salaah on top of the Ka'bah, it is a sign that he has abandoned Islam.

  • Return of one's soul back to its Lord

    Ibn Sirin: In a dream, the return of one's soul back to its Lord means remitting a trust to its rightful owner, the recovery of a sick person from his illness, the release of a prisoner from jail, or perhaps…

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