Nightmares
QUESTION:
Is it permissible to write the name of Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu on the chest as a prevention for nightmares? If not, please provide a remedy to prevent one from experiencing nightmares while sleeping.
ANSWER:
We could not locate any such Amal of writing the name of Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu being a means of protection from nightmares. However, Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri Rahimahullah has prescribed two Amals in his Kitaab for nightmares. The translation is as follows:
A person who sees frightening dreams or has nightmares, should wear this Aayah around his neck (by placing it in amulet), or read it before going to bed:
لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَى فِي الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ . لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمْتِ اللَّهِ.
ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ. (يونس آ:64)
“For them are glad tidings in the life of the (present) world and in the hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme triumph.”
A person who sees frightening dreams or has nightmares should recite Surah Ma’aarij before going to bed. This will be a means of protection against nightmares and frightening dreams. (Hidden Treasures Pg.104)
Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that nightmares and evil dreams are from Shaytaan, and good dreams are from Allah Ta’ala. Hence, one should constantly seek protection from Shaytaan, which will in turn save one from evil dreams and nightmares Insha’Allah.
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ،
وَالحُلْمُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ، فَإِذَا حَلَمَ فَلْيَتَعَوَّذْ مِنْهُ، وَلْيَبْصُقْ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ، فَإِنَّهَا لاَ تَضُرُّهُ
Abu Qatadah Radhiyallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “A good dream is from Allah Ta’ala, and a bad dream is from Shaytaan. So, if anyone of you sees a bad dream, he should spit on the left and he should seek refuge with Allah Ta’ala from the evil of it, for the bad dream will not harm him.”
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb
Date: 11 Shawwaal 1446 / 10 April 2025