Assorted Dreams

October 2007

INTRODUCTION

 The dreams which follow are the most recent so far.  In some dreams, Dream No. 8 for example, an informal style of language is used deliberately to convey the original, pragmatic feeling of the dream – the word ‘creepy’ is used instead of ‘frightening’, for instance. A khatam can be defined as, ‘food and drink over which the Name of Allah Most High has been invoked, as well as prayers from the Holy Quran.’

DREAM NO. 1                                      MONDAY 23 JANUARY 2006

 I had a very artistic dream.  I saw beautiful and elaborate patterns in sectioned boxes.  The detail in the designs was truly elegant and sophisticated.

Context

Visitors to my Websites had complimented me on the artistic layout of research papers and internal links on the Sites, as well as complimenting me on the artistic structure of the Sites themselves. Other visitors had criticised the Sites as being too colourful, making the text difficult to read.  But this dream confirms that plenty of colour is far better than no colour at all and, in any case, all visitors have to do is to highlight the text with the mouse and the text becomes very easy to read – a simple technique!  Also, they can print out the text on paper and then read the details.

DREAM NO. 2                                       SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2006

I dreamt that I was showing a pupil the beautiful Name of Allah Most High formed of vegetation – of beautiful, green leaves- in Arabic

 I wished that I could borrow it to show my younger brother at home.  In the next scene, I was in a train which was travelling to Cambridge .  As I got up to disembark at the station, the other passengers admired me because they thought that I belonged to the University of Cambridge .  Two capable middle-aged members of the University administrative department then boarded the train.  Each was doing two Ph.D. degrees simultaneously and each finished studying at 10.30 p.m. [every night]!  Then, in a Cambridge University building, I was thumbing rapidly through a newspaper –a page at a time- and I saw the pictures of beautiful girl models on its various pages.  A girl student felt attracted to me [while I was doing this], and she was observing me romantically!

DREAM NO. 3                                      FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2006

I was flying through the clouds.  There was a thrilling, powerful feeling in the dream!

DREAM NO. 3a                                      TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2007

                                                                       (H/M/R)

I dreamt that I was floating in the air, about six feet off the ground.  I saw two or three bulky, stone steps and I easily floated above them.  Then I found that I could manoeuvre myself higher [about 14 feet off the ground] with ease.  There was a feeling of fun in motion in the dream.

Interpretation for both Dreams 3 and 3a

‘Ascending the Sky or Heavens: If a person sees himself as ascending and entering the sky, he will attain martyrdom, become eminent in the sight of Allah, cross the Siraat swiftly on the Day of Judgement, attain respectability in this world and be remembered in favourable terms by the people.”  [Ibn Sireen, R.A., p. 20]

DREAM NO. 4                                      WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2006

I had an amusing dream that I am challenging Allah Most High. 

Context

In bed, before going to sleep, I had been reading the hundreds of requests that I have received for the Holy Quran attachment [see www.dr-umar-azam.co.uk to obtain this attachment for yourself] and I was feeling really pleased that my correspondents were complimenting me on my efforts with regard to distributing the Holy Quran.  But praise belongs only to Allah Most High!

DREAM NO. 5                                      WEDNESDAY 6 DECEMBER 2006

Someone was really impressed with my efforts and asked me about my strategy regarding my invitations [adverts] for Internet requests for the Holy Quran in one e-mail attachment.  I was shown an extensive, built-up area and was asked some question.  I replied, ‘That’s where the Jinn live!’  There seemed to be a further implied sentence, ‘And this where the human beings live!’  [So some of the requests I’ve been receiving have been from Jinn too!]

Context

In the preceding two or three days before this dream, I had been making advertisements in the form of certificates, advising readers to request a copy of the Holy Quran, in one email attachment, from me.

DREAM NO. 6                                      SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2006

I saw a beautiful 13 or 14 year-old Muslim girl.  She looked, and indeed was, really pious and pure, and her character was indubitably excellent.  I was given the message that she had read the Holy Quran, in Arabic, eleven times already, even though she was still fairly young.  To me, she looked romantically desirable as well as pious!

Context

I had been working on the Internet steadily, e-mailing recipients soft copies of the Holy Quran, and I had been very comforted to read such favourable comments on my efforts from those initially making the requests, as well as from readers once they had actually received the attachment!

DREAM NO. 7                                      MONDAY 26 MARCH 2007

I dreamt that I was in real danger of suffering from clinical depression, and the dream advised me to take the following courses of action:

a]   To give my younger brother £20 first and then £10 per visit to his house as pocket money instead of the £5 I was already giving.

b]   To give my older sister £20 to spend on bird seed to feed the garden birds, and to give a few pence on top to give to her disabled daughter as the daughter sees fit.

c]   To deliver to this older sister a take-away salan of paye [lamb trotters] and 3 rotis as khatam.

I did all this dutifully and I have not suffered yet nor, Insha’Allah, will I suffer.  The Holy Prophet [PBUH] has said: ‘Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.’  [Al- Tirmidhi]

DREAM NO. 8                                      THURSDAY 5 APRIL 2007

I had a really funny and creepy dream about Dar-Ul-Uloom Mosque in Longsight, Manchester .  On the top floor of the Mosque, I saw a Muslim corpse and it terrified me, so I pelted it down to the main prayer hall on the ground floor where a khatam was taking place!  There was some mention of Uncle Gulzar [of Gulzar Cash & Carry, Longsight] being present or having provided food for the khatam.  Lots of people, men and women, were dining and they were completely unaware of the trauma I had been through!

Context

It was in this particular Mosque that both of my parents were given the pre-burial ghusl [bath] after they had passed away.  I had personally paid the expenses for the khatams in this Mosque and the bulk of the post-funeral costs, and I was at the forefront of all the activity during these khatams, so I think this dream is a token of future reward for me and Allah’s pleasure with me.

DREAM NO. 9                                      SATURDAY 7 APRIL 2007

I dreamt that I had written the Darood Shareef on a sheet of paper.

Context

I had taught the Darood Shareef for the Intercession of the Holy Prophet [PBUH] to two of my pupils –Nafisa, and Huma- on the day of the jaloos [procession] of Eid-ul-Milad-ul-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet [PBUH].

See p. 23 of the internal link PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE on www.dr-umar-azam.com to read this Darood Shareef yourself.

DREAM NO. 10                                     MONDAY 15 MAY 2007

I dreamt that I should give khatam often – I saw pakori or something similar in a neighbourhood shop window.  I knew it was something that my mother liked.  I was given the message that my mother could not have lived to the present day because her body simply could not go on – it was time for her to go, and this is what is meant by saying that Allah Most High has absolute power!  Similarly, I am middle-aged but, when my time to die is imminent, then I will get the feeling that I have to go and I will truly realise, then, that Allah Almighty has absolute power [this was not said in a frightening way, but in a matter-of-fact way]. In the next scene, in my own room, I saw a very long, exhibition frame.  I thought that it contained verses in Arabic from the Holy Quran but, in fact, it contained several documents, for example letters from University and public libraries, confirming that my Islamic works were in stock!  The frame itself was like a prize or award trophy.  It was unsteady at the top because it was precariously balanced on two nails.  Underneath it, there were several other frames and these, too, contained my letters, and other documents, which were really pleasing to me!  When the main frame began to wobble, I took it down and suddenly it became a picture of the rooftops of a city!  I felt that an aeroplane soars above all these rooftops on take-off!

Note:  See interpretation to Dream Nos. 3 and 3a above.

NO. 11 :  INCIDENT ON SUNDAY 8 JULY 2007

I was feeling severely ill with a stomach bug but I still did my intensive Islamic work on the Internet.  When I had almost finished, I got a thirsty feeling, as if I needed the water of Al-Kauser from Jannat, as given to the believers at the time of death.  Also, I felt like typing the word ‘fragrances’ in the Google search engine.  I felt like sniffing the fragrances of Jannat.  The feeling I was getting was one of immense pleasure, and I could sense that the Blessed Water and Fragrances were near-to-hand.  This was the first time in my life that I felt so pleasantly near to death, and to the pleasures of the After-Life, Masha’Allah. 

DREAM NO. 12                                     WEDNESDAY 1 AUGUST 2007

I dreamt of a degree ceremony at Manchester University – just like for my B.A. [Hons] degree in July 1982.  This time, I waited until the Vice-Chancellor and all the officers of the University had arrived and then came to my seat at the very last moment, after everyone else!  I found the seats too small, claustrophobic and uncomfortable.

Interpretation

With the creation of my www.dr-umar-azam.com  and www.dr-umar-azam.co.uk  Sites, I have far outgrown the standards of my B.A. award.  Insha’Allah, I will be getting far more prestigious awards, in the future, for my efforts.

DREAM NO. 13                                     SATURDAY 11 AUGUST 2007

I had a dream that my Halal Ingredients Report [see www.dr-umar-azam.co.uk ] helped readers so much that one comment I received consisted of a list of hospitals, taxi phone numbers, and other data.  This dream suggested that the Halal Ingredients Report had helped to heal readers.

NO. 14 :  VISION ON SHAB-I-BARAT : MONDAY 27 AUGUST 2007

I dreamt of a statue of myself erected after my death.  It was a statue of me in some stressful position, for instance tilting downwards on one leg.  I saw thousands of people gathered in front of the statue, paying homage to me [and reciting prayer in my memory so that Allah Most High would bless me].

Context

On this Auspicious Night, I had vowed to offer every atom of my being in the cause of Allah Most High.  Then, while I was half-asleep, I had this vision.  It was so vivid that I became wide-awake in surprise and awe.  

DREAM NO. 15                                    TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2007                       [H/M/R]

I saw a marvellous grape – it was growing like a flower in someone else’s garden.  I actually saw two or three gardens!  The grape was a dark purple colour.

Interpretation

The purple grape may signify blessings, prosperity, livelihood and wealth.  Ibn Sireen [R.A.] p. 49

DREAM NO. 16                                     SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2007 [H/M/R]

I dreamt that it was the day of Eid but I needed a bath.  My beautiful, unknown wife was sitting next to me.

Interpretation

‘Eid: Witnessing any of the two Islamic festivals in a dream means an end to all the dreamer’s perplexities, grief and sorrow.’  Ibn Sireen [R.A.] p. 139

DREAM NO. 17                                     TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2007 [H/M/R]

a]  I saw three sets of green shoots.  I placed one set in water, and it became fresh and verdant.

Interpretation

‘Seeds Grown into Plants or Trees: It is a glad tiding that the dreamer’s good deeds are accepted by Allah Ta’lah, and that he will attain popularity, credibility and dignity in this world as a result of his actions.’   Ibn Sireen [R.A.] p. 51

b]  I dreamt that I  had a narrow, claustrophobic office.  I asked Allah Miah for help and the office became more and more spacious!

Context

I had been informally asking Allah Miah for help with my second Website www.dr-umar-azam.co.uk

Interpretation

‘An Extended House: Seeing one’s house or its foundations extended means that the dreamer’s wealth and assets will increase in proportion to the extension.’ Ibn Sireen [R.A.] p. 42   (When I do receive them, I will use such wealth and assets for the cause of Islam, Insha’Allah.)

DREAM NO. 18                                     THURSAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2007 [H/M/R]

I was walking higher and higher, up one or two floors or levels, right to the top of the world. I saw quite a large, black statue.  I was pointing out to college students a ‘w’ shape in the sky.  Then one intelligent Muslim girl [she wore glasses and looked plain, but she was clever] pointed out that something like an ‘alif’ – a vertical band of light – appears in the sky, so transforming the shape into the Name of Allah Most High in the Arabic language. 

 I said something like, ‘That’s absolutely right!’  I was surprised by her powers of deduction.  At the top of the world, there were living quarters – rooms – which seemed enclosed [so that it was impossible to fall out] and comfortable too.  They belonged to my family.  I said to them, ‘Welcome to the top of the world!’  Then, in the next scene, my mother asked me, ‘Was there rush [traffic congestion] in Stockport ?’ [There was some connection with the Manchester district of Levenshulme; Levenshulme seemed to be like Stockport in the dream].

Interpretation

Being ‘the top of the world’ could be a portent of the success of my Websites www.dr-umar-azam.com  and www.dr-umar-azam.co.uk on the World Wide Web.  The photographs of Islamic miracles in the ‘Aspects of Islam section of www.dr-umar-azam.com have been extremely popular with visitors, which is why I think the miraculous appearance of Allah’s Name was a phenomenon in the dream.   Stockport and Levenshulme being mentioned at the end of this dream has the implication that I will also be promoting my Sites at a local level, the local area being no less important than success worldwide!

DREAM NO. 19                                     SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2006

I dreamt that I received a packet of what seemed to be earth or soil and it was a light-brown powder.  Some dua was written on the packet, such as: Allahumma Sali ala…….Maryam.’  The name of Maryam [Upon her be Peace] was mentioned because she was a virgin.

Context

When I woke up, I really felt that Maryam [Upon her be Peace] is no doubt a very holy and significant figure in Islam, and in this sense Islam is a continuation of Christianity.  The night before, I had been recalling the promptings and reminders of family and friends to get married again [my first marriage was forced upon me by my parents and was not consummated].  I felt disillusioned because I am without a wife and children at the age of 45.  But this dream reminded me that I am still chaste and therefore innocent in character in the sight of Allah Most High.  So this dream was a great comfort to me.

DREAM NO. 20                                     WEDNESDAY 15 AUGUST2007

[a]  I dreamt of receiving a circular e-mail that urged me: ‘Use your political voice!’ and it emphasised the benefits of being able to do so.

Context

This dream is telling me that I should use my Website to express my true feelings about the political situation regarding Islam and Muslims in the contemporary period.

[b]  I dreamt of being urged to look for tall grass.  

Interpretation

‘Grass’ represents ‘gold’.  Ibn Sireen [R.A.]  This dream is a portent of forthcoming wealth for me.

CONCLUSION

Belief in Allah Most High is a core feature of Islam.  These dreams confirm to me that God really is present because through these dreams, I am helped in the following ways [the numbers refer to Dream No]:

Acknowledgement of Good Deeds: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 18

Tidings of Reward in the Hereafter: 2, 3, 3a, 17

Advice: 7, 10, 20

Worldly Prosperity: 15, 20

Comfort and Reassurance: 16, 19

Positive Paranormal Experiences: 11, 14