PHILOSOPHICAL DREAMS

Dr. Umar Azam BA PhD FRSA FRSSA

Manchester, UK

July 2005

Introduction

�Philosophical� dreams may be defined as �dreams, the meaning of which is far broader than the one immediately discernible.� These types of dreams cause one to reflect deeply on a certain notion or aspect of knowledge and may be deeply metaphorical.  Further, they may even make the dreamer aware of a concept of which he/she has no prior knowledge. Vivid examples in this paper are Dream Ten [bloodthirsty Islamic regimes] and Dream Fifteen [Utopia].  Hence, metaphorical dreams dream twenty-eight for example] are, by the very articulate nature of their subject matter, noteworthy and often emphatic.  They provide plenty of food for thought!

DREAM ONE / 27 JULY 2003

I DREAMT THAT I WAS PICKING UP MODELS OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH THE MEGA-CRANE ARCADE MACHINE AT MANCHESTER AIRPORT.  THESE MODELS WERE CLASSIFIED INTO THE OLD UNIVERSITIES AND THE NEWER ONES [THE FORMER POLYTECHNICS].

INTERPRETATION

THIS DREAM IS INFORMING ME THAT, IN FUTURE, I WILL BE LECTURING IN ISLAMIC STUDIES AT VARIOUS UK UNIVERSITIES.  I WILL ENJOY THIS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AS MUCH AS I ENJOY PLAYING ON THE MEGA-CRANE AND I WILL BE SIMILARLY COMPETENT AND SUCCESFUL [I HAD MANAGED TO WIN SEVEN SCOOBY DOO SOFT TOYS, TO BE GIVEN AS GIFTS TO MY INFANT NEPHEWS, ON SATURDAY 26 JULY AND A FURTHER FIVE THE NEXT DAY FOR A MODEST OUTLAY BASED ON �1 FOR THREE ATTEMPTS!].

DREAM TWO / 22 MAY 2003

MY FATHER WAS TELLING ME THAT ZARINA [A YOUNG LADY WHOM I WANTED TO MARRY BUT WAS PREVENTED FROM DOING SO BY CIRCUMSTANCES] WAS A BAD PERSON.  SO HE HAD A NEGATIVE OUTLOOK ON MY LOVE FOR HER!  I REPLIED: �BUT I HAVE HAD [RELIGIOUS] DREAMS [FROM ALLAH MOST HIGH] ABOUT HER!�

DREAM THREE / 6 JULY 2003

ONE TEAM WENT TO PLAY A SPORTS MATCH AWAY TO ANOTHER TEAM WHOSE GROUND WAS LIKE A GARDEN WHICH WAS THICKLY WOODED WITH TREES, AND THIS GARDEN WAS SO VAST AND SPACIOUS THAT NO RESTRAINING BORDER COULD BE SEEN!

CONTEXT

I HAD DONATED A SECTION OF MY ORIGINAL, ISLAMIC ARCHIVAL MATERIAL TO THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY, OXFORD ABOUT THE TIME OF THIS DREAM.  TRAVELLING THERE FROM MANCHESTER WAS SIMILAR TO AN AWAY TEAM TRAVELLING TO ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY FOR A SPORTS MATCH!

DREAM FOUR / 13 NOVEMBER 2003

I SAW A MASSIVE, CASTLE-LIKE CHURCH WITH TRULY SUPERB, NOBLE, HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE [I SAW CONCENTRIC, FORTIFIED FOUNDATIONS RISING TO AN IMMENSELY-LOFTY HEIGHT].  I WAS THINKING IN THE DREAM, �THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD!  I HAVE TO BE CLEAN AND PURE TO ENTER IT!�

INTERPRETATION

WE ALL KNOW THE SAYING THAT SYNAGOGUES, CHURCHES AND MOSQUES ARE THE HOUSES OF GOD.  THIS DREAM CONFIRMS IT!

DREAM FIVE / 27 NOVEMBER 2003

I WAS FLOATING IN THE AIR WITH THE AID OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE A GIANT CARD OF PAPER!  ALTHOUGH I DID NOT THINK THAT I WAS PARTICULARLY FAST, I REALISED WHEN I LANDED THAT I HAD OVERTAKEN A MERCEDES CAR DRIVEN BY A RATHER CAREFUL LADY OWNER!

INTERPRETATION

THE CARD, A STRONG FORM OF PAPER, SYMBOLISES STRENGTH IN SCHOLARSHIP.  FLOATING SYMBOLISES PROGRESS.  THE FACT THAT I OVERTOOK THE MERCEDES, THOUGH I WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH MY SPEED, MEANS THAT I UNDERESTIMATE MYSELF AT TIMES, BEING MORE COMPETENT THAN I BELIEVE.  MY MASCULINE DARING AND DETERMINATION TO PROGRESS ARE CONTRASTED TO THE FEMININE CAUTIOUSNESS OF THE LADY DRIVER.

DREAM SIX / 29 JANUARY 2004

A] I WAS GIVEN THE MESSAGE THAT I RECEIVE A COUPLE OF BANANAS FROM GAFFAR EVERY NOW AND THEN.

B] I WAS DEBATING WITH SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE ON MY TRAVELS ACROSS THE WORLD, AS TO HOW HARAM [�UNLAWFUL� ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC DIETARY LAWS] FOOD COULD POSSIBLY TASTE BETTER THAT HALAL [�LAWFUL�] FOOD!

INTERPRETATIONS

A] THE �15 PER HOUR I RECEIVE FROM GAFFAR FOR TEACHING HIS SON, ASIM, ISLAMIC STUDIES REPRESENTS ONLY SMALL ASSETS.  THIS DREAM IS FORETELLING THE ARRIVAL OF MAJOR ASSETS, SUBSTANTIAL WEALTH, TO ME IN THE FUTURE.

B] THIS DREAM IS INFORMING ME THAT NOT ONLY IS UNLAWFUL FOOD DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH [EG PORK], IT DOES NOT ALSO CARRY THE EXCELLENT TASTE OF THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL [I DO RECALL ONE OF MY PUPILS, LISA, TELLING ME THAT PIG MEAT IS �SALTY� WHEN COMPARED TO HALAL LAMB MEAT [SHE HAD TASTED BOTH KINDS OF MEAT].  PORK IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM BECAUSE THE PIG IS AN UNCLEAN ANIMAL AND PIG-MEAT CONTAINS DISEASE.

http://www.pigheath.com/

DREAM SEVEN / 27 DECEMBER 2003

I HAD A CARING, EMOTIONAL DREAM THAT ASIM WAS MY OWN CHILD AND THAT I HAD RAISED HIM LOVINGLY.

INTERPRETATION

ASIM WAS MY PRIVATE TUITION PUPIL.  I TAUGHT HIM ISLAMIC STUDIES NOT MERELY TO RECEIVE FEES, BUT GENUINELY, FROM THE HEART.  THE WORK ISLAM AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF MUSLIM� ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/ IS ONE OF THE PAPERS WE WORKED ON IN TUITION LESSONS.  SCIENCE v RELIGION, ALSO ON THIS SITE, IS ANOTHER.

DREAM EIGHT / 19 FEBRUARY 2004

I SAW A LARGE DUCK.  IT WAS SIZEABLE, WHOLESOME AND JUST READY TO EAT!  MY MIDDLE SISTER WAS TRYING TO DEFEND THE DUCK AGAINST SLAUGHTER, SAYING THAT IT HAD GROWN UP IN FRONT OF US AND WAS THEREFORE LIKE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE!  BUT I MADE THE POINT THAT, BECAUSE THE DUCK HAD GROWN UP SO FAST, AS ALLAH ALMIGHTY WILLED, IT HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY NATURE TO BE EATEN!

INTERPRETATION

�MARINE BIRDS: [IF SEEN ON DRY LAND] THEY REPRESENT PROSPERITY, FRESHNESH AND VERDURE.� [IBN SIREEN, DREAMS AND INTERPRETATIONS, p. 118]

DREAM NINE / 21 FEBRUARY  2004

I WAS WATCHING A SCENE FROM AN INDIAN [�BOLLYWOOD�] FILM.  A DECEASED PERSON HAD TEMPORARILY RETURNED TO VISIT HIS PARENTS AND THE REST OF HIS FAMILY AND THE LYRICS OF A HINDI SONG WERE IN HIS HOBOUR, SOMETHING LIKE LOT KAR AYAA HAI.  AS I WATCHED THE SCENE, I SAID, �PRAISE IS FOR ALLAH WHO HAS THE STRENGTH TO RAISE THE DEAD BY HIS COMMAND ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT!� I KNEW THAT ALLAH MOST HIGH HAS COMPLETE POWER, SO THAT THOSE WHO ARE DEAD ARE NOT REALLY DEAD � THEY ARE ONLY SLEEPING TEMPORARILY.  ON THE DAY OF JUDEGEMENT, EVERYONE �WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT- WILL HAVE TO GET UP FROM THE GRAVE AND BE JUDGED.  THEN EACH PERSON�S DESTINATION WILL EITHER BE PARADISE OR HELL. 

CONTEXT

THE NIGHT BEFORE, ON THE FIRST DAY OF MUHARRAM, I HAD COMFORTED MY MOTHER ON THE DEATH OF HER BROTHER, MY UNCLE KHADAM.   I HAD ALSO COMFORTED MY MOTHER ABOUT TEN DAYS EARLIER, ON FIRST HEARING OF THE NEWS OF HIS PASSING AWAY.  I HAD SAID, �WHEN SOMEONE DIES, THAT�S NOT THE END.  THERE IS OVERWHELMING GRIEF IF YOU THINK OF AN END.  BUT WHOEVER DIES, HE OR SHE IS MERELY SLEEPING, FOR THEY HAVE TO GET UP, AT ALLAH�S COMMAND, ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT!�  I HAD ALSO COMFORTED THE MOTHER OF ONE OF MY OLDHAM PUPILS, AHTSHAM FROM WATERLOO ST.  I SAW THAT SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY DISTRESSED AT THE RECENT PASSING AWAY OF HER MOTHER.  I SAID TO HER, �WHOEVER DIES IS NOT TECHNICALLY DEAD, BUT ONLY SLEEPING � THEY HAVE TO GET UP ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT.�  SHE REPLIED, �THAT IS INDEED THE BELIEF HELD IN ISLAM.�  THEN I TOLD HER THAT HER MOTHER WILL, INSHA�ALLAH, APPEAR TO HER IN DREAMS AND GIVE ADVICE ON MATTERS IF SHE READ CERTAIN PRAYERS [AHTSHAM�S MOTHER HAD TOLD ME THAT SHE MISSED HER MOTHER�S GUIDANCE ON VARIOUS, PERSONALLY-IMPORTANT, EVERYDAY MATTERS].  I WROTE OUT, FOR HER BENEFIT, TWO IMPORTANT PRAYERS, WHICH THE READER CAN REFER TO IN MY PRAYERS IN ISLAM ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/ [NOS 33 AND 39].

DREAM TEN / 23 FEBRUARY 2004

I SAW TWO KINDS OF TECHNICAL GADGETS [WHICH REPRESENTED WESTERN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL SUPREMACY] AND THEN I BWAS GIVEN THE MESSAGE THAT, IN CERTAIN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT ONE POSSESSES [LIFE] IS TAKEN AWAY FOR TRIVIAL REASONS AND AT WHIM [IRANIAN AND IRAQI REGIMES INFLICT THE DEATH PENALTY FOR MINOR LEGAL INFRINGEMENTS]. 

INTERPRETATION

CERTAIN ISLAMIC REGIMES IN THE WORLD ARE CRUEL AND BARBARIAN, COMPARED TO THE EDUCATED AND CAPABLE NON-MUSLIMS.   UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE TRUTH, EVEN IF IT HURTS, AND EXPLAINS WHY EXTREMIST MUSLIMS ARE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION, BOTH BY NON-MUSLIMS AND BY MODERATE MUSLIMS.

DREAM ELEVEN / 22 MARCH 2004

I DREAMT THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LIGHT IN THE JOHN RYLANDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF MANCHESTER.  LIGHT IS A PRIVILEGE BUT THE LIGHT WAS FADING, AND THEN THE LIBRARY WAS IN DANGER OF BECOMING COMPLETELY DARK.  [IN THE NEXT SCENE] I DREAMT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH A CERTAIN PROJECT AND THAT IT CONTAINED A SERIOUS DEFECT.  THIS PROJECT WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE JOHN RYLANDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF MANCHESTER. 

CONTEXT

I HAD BEEN NEGLECTING TO USE THE JOHN RYLANDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF MANCHESTER FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS.  EVEN WHEN I NEEDED TO GO THERE TO GATHER MATERIAL FOR MY SCIENCE v RELIGION WORK, NOW ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/ I HAD NOT GONE!  NO DOUBT MY PROJECT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH STRONGER HAD I BEEN USING THE LIBRARY�S VALUABLE RESOURCES. 

DREAM TWELVE / 9 APRIL 2004

I DREAMT THAT WHEN PUPILS ASK ME FOR THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN PRIVATE TUITION LESSONS, I SHOULDN�T SAY TO THEM, �I�M NOT ALLOWED TO TELL YOU [YET]!� BUT I SHOULD TELL THEM!

DREAM THIRTEEN / 12 APRIL 2004

I DREAMT THAT, WHILE WATCHING AN INDIAN FILM, I SAW A SCENE IN WHICH A HINDANI [HINDU WOMAN] WENT UP TO SPACE!  MY MIDDLE SISTER FOUND THIS FACT SO AMUSING THAT SHE LAUGHED HEARTILY [AND MOCKINGLY]!  I SAID TO HER, THE HINDANI WILL GO UP INTO THE UNIVERSE ALL RIGHT � WHEN SHE�S DEAD!��  I SAID IT IN A MOCKING WAY AS IF TO EMPHASISE THE ENORMITY OF THE PUNISHMENT THAT POLYTEISTS WILL FACE IN THE HEREAFTER.  THEN I INFORMED HER THAT I HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN GIVEN A MESSAGE IN A RELIGIOUS DREAM THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE UNIVERSE �AS MUCH OF IT AS I WANT- AFTER DEATH.  THIS MESSAGE GAVE TIDINGS OF GOOD NEWS WHICH WERE A FAVOURABLE CONTRAST TO THE SITUATION OF THE HINDANI: SHE WILL FACE A CRITICAL TIME [TORMENT IN HELL] BUT, INSHA�ALLAH, I WILL ENJOY PEACE AND BLISS IN THE HEREAFTER � THE REWARD OF A BLESSED BELIEVER!

DREAM FOURTEEN / 28 AUGUST 2004

I DREAMT THAT I WAS TALIKNG TO A LIITLE BOY.  THERE WAS SOMETHING TRAGIC ABOUT HIM, AS IF HIS MOTHER WAS ABSENT OR SOME SIMILAR GRIEF.  HE SAID TO ME, �THOSE IN JANNAT [PARADISE] WILL NEVER BECOME OLDER THAN 22 YEARS OF AGE!�  I CORRECTED HIM AND REPLIED, �NO, THOSE IN JANNAT WILL NEVER BECOME OLDER THAN 21 YEARS OF AGE!� 

INTERPRETATION

WHEN I LOOK AT THE MANY GREY HAIR IN MY HEAD [AT THE AGE OF 43], I FEEL THAT LIFE IS MAKING ME OLD; THIS DREAM IS A GREAT COMFORT BECAUSE IT EMPHASISES THE PERPETUAL YOUTH OF THOSE ADMITTED TO PARADISE [INSHA�ALLAH, I WILL BE ONE OF THEM].

DREAM FIFTEEN / 20 SEPTEMBER 2004

I DREAMT THAT A TEACHER WAS TELLING ME THAT UTOPIA IS TO BE FOUND IN THE LYRICS OF A SONG.  I CORRECTED HIM AND SAID THAT IT IS TO BE FOUND, RATHER, IN THE DICTIONARY AND ADVISED HIM TO KEEP NOT ONE, BUT TWO, DICTIONARIES IN A CUPBOARD BESIDE HIM!

INTERPRETATION

AT TIMES, AND THIS IS THE CASE FOR EVERYONE ON EARTH, LIFE ON EARTH IS FULL OF SORROWS, HARDSHIPS, DANGERS AND DISASTERS.  SO THERE CAN BE NO TRUE UTOPIA [DEFINED, IN THIS CASE, AS �A STATE OF PERPETUAL BLISS� [THAT IS TO SAY, �PERFECTION�].  BUT UTOPIA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF JANNAT [PARADISE], WHOSE INHABITANTS WILL STAY FOREVER YOUNG, NEVER DIE, NEVER BECOME ILL, NEVER FEAR AND NEVER GRIEVE.

DREAM SIXTEEN / 1990s

BEFORE I WENT INTO A PUBLIC TELEPHONE BOOTH, IT WAS DARK BUT IT BECAME FILLD WITH LIGHT, ILLUMINATED, AFTER I WENT INTO IT!

INTERPRETATION

I USED THE TELEPHONE FOR ISLAMIC WORK �FOR EXAMPLE, INFORMING LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ABOUT MY BOOK DREAMS IN ISLAM- AND RELIGIOUS WORK IS GUIDANCE  [LIGHT] BUT SIN [EG USING THE PHONE TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP WITH A WOMAN OTHER THAN ONE�S WIFE, LEADING TO ADULTERY] IS DARKNESS.

DREAM SEVENTEEN / 1990s

I DREAMT THAT THE PROPHET MUHAMMED [PBUH] IS KRISHNA!

INTERPRETATION

AN ARTICLE APPEARED ON THE INTERNET THAT THE COMING OF THE HOLY PROPHET [PBUH] WAS FORETOLD IN THE ANCIENT HINDU SCRIPTURES.  

http://www.geocities.com/window2islam/mohammed/prophetinhindu.html

http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Hindu/hindu.html

DREAM EIGHTEEN / 1990s

I DREAMT THAT, BY REMAINING CELIBATE, NUNS DO NOT PLEASE GOD.  THEY REBEL AGAINST NATURE BECAUSE GOD CREATED WOMAN FOR MOTHERHOOD.  BY REMAINING SPINSTERS, THEY REJECT AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THEIR VERY EXISTENCE!

www.victorianweb.org/authors/dowson/newman13.html

DREAM NINETEEN / 1990s

I WAS TELLING OUR ELDERLY, FORMER, NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOURS,  MARGARET AND FRED,  THAT THEY WERE UNDER A MISAPPREHENSION IF THEY BELIEVED THAT, AS CHRISTIANS, THEY WOULD ATTAIN SALVATION IN THE HEREAFTER! [I WASN�T SAYING THIS IN A CRUEL WAY, BUT A CARING WAY, WITH THE SINCERE INTENTION OF IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE.]

INTERPRETATION

IT IS A PRIMARY CONCEPT OF ISLAM THAT A PERSON WHOSE FAITH DOES NOT ALLOW HIM TO BELIEVE IN THE PROPHETHOOD OF MUHAMMED [PBUH] CAN NEVER BE ADMITTED TO PARADISE.  IT IS ENTIRELY WRONG TO SAY THAT ALL FAITHS LEAD TO PARADISE: THERE IS A CRUCIAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN BELIEF AND DISBELIEF.  IN THE HOLY QURAN, GOD REVEALS VERSES SUCH AS, �IS DARKNESS THE SAME AS LIGHT?� OR �IS THE SEEING MAN THE SAME AS THE BLIND MAN?� TO MAKE MAN REFLECT ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.  ONLY THE TRUE BELIEVERS, FOLLOWERS OF THE CORRECT ISLAM [NOT EVEN THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE MUSLIMS BUT ARE NOT TRULY MUSLIM E.G .AHMADIYYAS WILL ATTAIN SALVATION] WILL BE BLESSED.

DREAM TWENTY / 27 JANUARY 2005

I DREAMT THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IF THEY READ AN ISLAMIC DUA [PRAYER], IT IS A WASTE OF TIME BUT, IN FACT, THE DUA IS RECORDED BY THE ANGELS AND IT WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANCE AT SOME TIME IN THE RECITER�S EXISTENCE!

CONTEXT

I DREAMT THIS WHILE INTENSIVELY DISTRIBUTING MY PRAYERS IN ISLAM, NOW ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/

DREAM TWENTY-ONE / c. SEPTEMBER 2004

I DREAMT OF SOMETHING NEGATIVE REGARDING MY FRIEND HAFEEZ HUSSAIN BUT OF SOMETHING POSITIVE REGARDING MY OWN SELF!

CONTEXT

MY FATHER INFORMED ME THAT DR HAFEEZ HUSSAIN BSC MSC PHD FRSPHARM HAS RETIRED FROM HIS PHARMACY PROFESSION ALREADY [HE IS NOT MUCH MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS OLD]!  WHEN I HEARD THIS, I WAS SURPRISED.  I RESOLVE TO DO MY SLAMIC WORK TILL THERE IS NO STRENGTH LEFT IN MY BODY!

DREAM TWENTY-TWO / DECEMBER 2004

I RECEIVED A MESSAGE WHICH INFORMED ME, �SCIENCE IS NOT [RELATIVELY] IMPORTANT.  WHAT IS IMPORTANT ARE THE ARTS [PRESUMABLY INCLUDING HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES].  POLITICS IS THE ART OF GOVERNING AND IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ONE�S LIFE.

INTERPRETATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF MY ISLAMIC WORK, PARTS OF WHICH CAN BE CONSIDERED �POLITICAL�, IS EMPHASISED IN THIS DREAM.

DREAM TWENTY-THREE / 29 DECEMBER 2004

I DREAMT OF A PROFESSOR OF SCIENCE WHO WAS THE FIRST TO DISCOVER SOME COSMOLOGICAL LAW OR FACT WHICH, BECAUSE IT PERTAINED TO THE UNIVERSE ITSELF, WAS A MOST ESSENTIAL AND SIGNIFICANT FINDING.  SEE SCIENCE v RELIGION? ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/

MESSAGE / 18 JANUARY 2005 [THE DAY BEFORE HAJJ]

JUST BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP, WHILE I WAS DROWSY, I RECEIVED THE MESSAGE THAT A [CELESTIAL] MAN COMES TO CLEAN MY ROOM AND, WHEN HE LEAVES, HE TAKES THE DUST FROM MY ROOM TO JANNAT [PARADISE].

CONTEXT

I HAD BEEN SORTING OUT THE REQUESTS FOR MY E-BOOK PRAYERS IN ISLAM IN MY ROOM [AT THE TIME I HAD RECEIVED 150 REQUESTS IN SIXTY DAYS].  I WAS TOO EXHAUSTED TUTORING PUPILS MATHS AND ENGLISH, AND DOING INTENSIVE ISLAMIC WORK, TO TIDY MY ROOM UP.  I WAS FEELING GUILTY ABOUT THE MESS BUT THIS DREAM INFORMED ME THAT THE DEEDS WHICH I DO IN MY ROOM WILL, INSHA�ALLAH, TAKE ME TO PARADISE.

DREAM TWENTY-FOUR / JANUARY 2005

I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT ADVISED ME NOT TO WATCH SELFISH AND CHURLISH INDIAN [BOLLYWOOD] FILMS SUCH AS I LOVE YOU IN WHICH THE HERO TRIES TO WIN HIS LOVE AT ALL COSTS, ]WHEREAS I PERSONALLY HAVE SACRIFICED MY ROMANTIC HAPPINESS FOR THE SAKE OF MY RELIGION].

DREAM TWENTY-FIVE / 21 MAY 2005

[A] TWO MEDIUM-LARGE, WILD CATS, LIKE CHEETAHS, HAD BEEN IN A TITANIC BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY.  ONE WAS THE VICTOR AND IT WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE OTHER, BUT THE LOSER LOOKED MORE BEAUTIFUL!

[B] I HAD A DREAM OF A LION HELPING THE CAUSE OF LAW AND ORDER.  A VICTIM OF CRIME SAW HIM AND PANICKED, BUT SHE DIDN�T KNOW THAT IT WAS ON HER SIDE BECAUSE IT WAS TRYING TO HELP TO FIGHT CRIME!

INTERPRETATION

DREAM [A] EMPHASISES THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF MY PERSONALITY.

DREAM [B] IS TELLING ME THAT I USE MY CAPABILITIES, MASHA�ALLAH, TO DO GOOD, NOT EVIL.

DREAM TWENTY-SIX / 6 MAY 2005

I DREAMT THAT BEAUTIFUL, PINK BLOSSOM WAS CARRIED BY THE WIND FROM NOTTINGHAM TO MANCHESTER.

CONTEXT

MY YOUNGEST SISTER TOLD ME THAT HER FORMER UNIVERSITY FRIENDS FROM NOTTINGHAM HAD READ THE SURAH YA SIN FROM THE HOLY QURAN TO REWARD THE SOUL OF OUR MOTHER WHO HAD PASSED AWAY ON MONDAY 21 MARCH 2005.

DREAM TWENTY-SEVEN / 14 MARCH 2005

WHEN I WENT INTO THE DIAMOND INTERNET CAF�, I SAW A COMPUTER ON WHICH WAS PRESENTED A SCREEN-SAVER IN THE FORM OF THE PEACEFUL SCENE OF A CALM OCEAN.  THEN I SAW A NORMAL-SIZED MAN SURROUNDED BY ALL CREATURES GIGANTIC � GIANT FISH, GIANT DINOSAURS ETC.  THEN I WAS GIVEN THE MESSAGE THAT I SHOULD GO TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TO SEE GIANT ANIMALS STILL SURVIVING!

INTERPRETATION

THIS DREAM IS EMPHASISING THE POWER AND MIGHT OF MY WEBSITE, MASHA�ALLAH.  IT SEEMS TO BE HIGHLIGHTING A DICHOTOMY: THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE INTERNET �A RELATIVELY NEW INVENTION- AND THE PRIMITIVE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.  MANY VISITORS SIGN MY GUESTBOOK WITH COMMENTS WHICH WOULD FIT IN WITH THIS DREAM � COMMENTS WHICH SUGGEST THAT MY SITE IS A GIANT AMONG ISLAMIC WEBSITES ON THE INTERNET.

DREAM TWENTY-EIGHT / 8 JULY 2005

I DREAMT THAT I WAS STUCK IN A LONG QUEUE [TRAFFIC JAM].  I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLECT TWO AWARDS WHICH I WOULD BE HONOURED WITH FOR DIGGING!

INTERPRETATION

PERHAPS �DIGGING� IN THE SENSE OF MINING E.G. FOR PRECIOUS STONES � IN MY CASE UNEARTHING VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE.

DREAM TWENTY-NINE / 9 JUNE 2005

I DREAMT THAT A GIRL GOT MARRIED AS LATE AS POSSIBLE SO THAT SHE WOULDN�T COMMIT A MAJOR SIN AND SHE THEN RE-JOINED HER FAMILY AS IF NOTHING SIGNIFICANT HAD HAPPENED. SHE WAS AN ESSENTIAL AND POWERFUL INDIVIDUAL, YET SHE EXHIBITED HUMILITY WITHIN THE FAMILY.

INTERPRETATION

AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS PAPER, I AM NEARLY 44 YEARS OLD AND STILL A VIRGIN [MY ARRANGED MARRIAGE ENDED IN UNHAPPINESS AND I HAVE BEEN TOO BUSY WITH MY WORK TO MARRY AGAIN SO FAR]!  WHEN I MARRY, I WILL STAY LOYAL TO MY FATHER AND SIBLINGS.  ALTHOUGH I HAVE A WORLD-CLASS WEBSITE, I AM HUMBLE WITHIN THE FAMILY CIRCLE, AND IN SOCIETY TOO.

DREAM THIRTY / 12 JUNE 2005

I HAD A NOBLE AND ARTISTIC DREAM.  I WAS TEACHING SOME PEOPLE, I THINK IT WAS FRIENDS, HOW TO TRANSFORM TREES INTO ONES WHOSE BRANCHES ABOUNDED WITH SMALL, COLOURFUL BUDS, AND THEN TO BIND TOGETHER SOME OF THESE BRANCHES.

INTERPRETATION

THE COLOURFUL BUDS REPRESENT GOOD DEEDS WHICH FLOWER EVENTUALLY.  THE TREES AND BRANCHES REPRESENT NOBILITY OF CHARACTER.  VISITORS LEARN FROM MY WEBSITE DEEDS THAT BEAR FRUIT AND THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO BE EFFICIENT AND CAPABLE; HOW TO BUILD AN ISLAMIC ARCHIVE ON http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/ IS ONE OF THE BEST-USED URLs ON MY WEBSITE, AS I LEARNED FROM �SITE STATISTICS� ON MY CONTROL PANEL.

DREAM THIRTY-ONE / DATE NOT AVAILABLE

I DREAMT THAT ALAMGIR�S FAMILY CALLED ME A �GIANT�.

CONTEXT

ALAMGIR�S FAMILY USED TO LIVE ON OUR STREET AND, MOREOVER, MY FATHER KNOWS HIS FATHER.  I TUTORED ALAMGIR AND HELPED HIM TO BE SUCCESFUL.  ALAMGIR WAS ALWAYS VERY KEEN TO LEARN OF MY ISLAMIC WORK.  HE BORROWED MY DREAMS IN ISLAM ,  READ MY ISLAMIC LETTERS AND CAME TO AN ISLAMIC TALK THAT I ORGANISED IN A LOCAL LIBRARY 1997.  HE WAS ALWAYS POLITE AND RESPECTFUL TO ME, AND ALWAYS CONVEYED A SENSE OF AWE AT MY ACHIEVEMENTS, ALHAMDOLILLAH.  THE INTERPRETATION IS THE SAME AS THAT FOR DREAM TWENTY-SEVEN ABOVE.

Conclusion

A human being can have many degrees and even be an eminent professor.  But he or she will have insignificant knowledge when compared to Allah�s Knowledge.  Because these philosophical dreams are, I believe, messages from God, they provide inspiration and motivation to me by providing the relevant information and metaphors at intermittent, and crucial, periods of my life.  In this sense, they are guides which assist my success and similar to the dreams one can experience after reading the DUA-E-ISTIKHARA [a prayer read before sleeping whereby one seeks Allah�s guidance of a matter which one is not sure of, or a course of action one is not sure of taking]!