Definition of Dreams

Dreams are a kind of knowledge that one may learn when sleeping, by means of interpreting symbols in most cases. Imam Al - Ghazali said: Souls cannot be seen, and what is seen in dreams is only symbols which indicate a meaning to the dreamer. This is supported by the fact that a man may sleep during the day and see (in his dream) someone he know s and some interaction may take place between them, but at that time the other man is not sleeping. So it is not possible to say that his soul came out so that the dreamer could see it; rather it is no more than a symbol of him. We say usually because ther e may be an exception to what we have mentioned. A man may see something in his dream and then see the exact same thing in reality. One of the Companions { saw in his dream Thaabit ibn Shammaas, who had been killed in the war with Musaylimah. Thaabit said to him: I will give you my will and last requests; beware of saying that this is just a dream and neglecting it. When I was killed yesterday, a Muslim man came past me and took my shield. His tent is on the furthest edge of the camp, and there is a horse n ext to his tent. He has thrown a pot over the shield, and on top of the pot he has put a saddle. Go to Khaalid ibn Al - Waleed and tell him to send someone to take my shield, then when you reach Madeenah, go to the caliph of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and tell him that I owe such and such to so - and - so, and that so - and - so among my slaves are free. The man went to Khaalid and told him about that, and he sent someone to bring the shield to him. Then he told Abu Bakr (May Allah be please with him) about the dream, and he approved of Thaabit's will after his death. It is not known that any man's will was approved after his death except the will of Thaabit.