How to See the Prophet ﷺ in a Dream | Barzakh | Other Side Ep.5 | Dr. Omar Suleiman | Ramadan Series

Summary

In a captivating episode of the 'Other Side' series, Dr. Omar Suleiman delves into the profound experience of dreaming of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The video explores a woman's dream about a prophetic gathering in Gaza, recounts dreams from Islamic history involving Anas ibn Malik, Imam Ahmad, and more, highlighting the spiritual dimensions and blessings of seeing the Prophet in dreams. Through these narratives, the episode emphasizes living in accordance with the Prophet's teachings as a way to connect spiritually and potentially experience his presence in dreams.

Highlights

• A woman from Gaza dreamt of a gathering of oppressed Muslims with the Prophet in Masjid Al-Aqsa. 🌍🕌
• Anas ibn Malik dreamt of the Prophet every night for 90 years after his passing. 😢⏳
• Imam Ahmad experienced prophetic dreams during his persecution, offering guidance and comfort. 🌙✊
• Imam Abu Hanifa's dream of sorting the Prophet's bones was interpreted as him organizing Hadiths. 📜🔍
• Dreams encourage believers, affirming their path or guiding them in times of need. ✨🛤️

Key Takeaways

• Dreams of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) symbolize spiritual connections. 🛌🌙
• Living like the Prophet in this world may invite dreams of him. 🕌✨
• Prophetic dreams are a profound blessing and an affirmation of righteousness. 🌟😊
• Seeing the Prophet in dreams is a spiritual occurrence, not a religious requirement. 🕊️
• The essence of these dreams reinforces the commitment to the Prophet's teachings. 📚❤️

Overview

In this riveting episode from Yaqeen Institute's series, Dr. Omar Suleiman examines the nature and significance of seeing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in dreams. This dream occurrence is presented as both a spiritual blessing and an indicator of the dreamer’s closeness to the Prophet’s values and teachings. Omar takes viewers through historical anecdotes where individuals dreamt of the Prophet, highlighting their profound impact and lessons.

One compelling story shared is about a woman from Gaza who foresaw a genocidal event, represented in a dream where she saw the Prophet with a group of oppressed Muslims. This dream, along with others recounted from Islamic scholars and pious individuals, underscores the timeless nature of prophetic dreams in guiding, comforting, and affirming the path of the believer. Such dreams are portrayed as instances where the Prophet appears to offer spiritual support and encouragement.

The episode further explores how leading a life akin to the Prophet's teachings can spiritually elevate individuals, making them likely candidates for such dreams. It emphasizes that while having a dream of the Prophet is a unique blessing, the real aspiration should be to live as he did. Dr. Suleiman wraps up with a reminder that whether in this life through dreams or in the hereafter, those who love the Prophet will ultimately find spiritual closeness and peace.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction The chapter explores the concept of emulating the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in order to feel a connection with him. It encourages readers to live like the Prophet today to experience his presence and warmth spiritually. The text reflects on the possibility of joining loved ones who followed the Prophet's footsteps and motivates the reader to consider a lifestyle change to align with the teachings and practices of the Prophet.
• 00:30 - 02:00: Dream of the Woman from Gaza The chapter titled 'Dream of the Woman from Gaza' discusses a woman from Gaza who had a prophetic dream about a genocide before it occurred. This dream gained significant attention and went viral among many groups. After her dream was shared widely, images of destruction began appearing in those same groups, suggesting a connection between her dream and the subsequent events that unfolded.
• 03:30 - 05:30: Anas ibn Malik's Longing for the Prophet In this chapter, a dream is recounted where the dreamer sees the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) seated in the courtyard of Masjid Al-Aqsa. People from all over the world, specifically oppressed Muslims, gather around him. This includes Muslims from regions such as Syria, Yemen, Iraq, the Uyghurs, Kashmir, and Somalia. The gathering continues to grow as more arrive. The scene symbolizes unity and hope for the oppressed communities finding solace and strength in the presence of the Prophet.
• 05:30 - 07:00: Connecting with the Prophet through Salawat The chapter discusses the connection with the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) through the practice of Salawat. It highlights a scene where the Prophet smiles at his companions and assures them of entering paradise in large groups. He further delivers the message of hope, declaring 'The victory of Allah is coming, so glad tidings.' Someone within the group inquires about the timing of this anticipated victory, seeking further insight from the Prophet.
• 07:00 - 10:00: Dreams of Righteous People This chapter explores the theme of true victory through the lens of the Prophet's experiences with his companions. The Prophet delivers the message that martyrdom is the ultimate triumph, and recounts the hardships faced by the Sahabah in Mecca, including persecution, exile, the Hijrah, and the battle of Uhud. These reflections are shared as a means of drawing parallels to their present struggles, emphasizing resilience and shared sacrifice. The narrative builds towards the appearance of a large army, adding a sense of imminent challenge or conflict.
• 10:00 - 12:00: Imam Ahmad's Trial and Dreams The chapter "Imam Ahmad's Trial and Dreams" recounts a vision involving a vast and powerful army that Prophet Muhammad foresaw as the means through which Muslims would achieve victory. The dream features soldiers described as having full moon-like faces, large in stature and number, and designated by the Prophet as the force that would secure triumph for the Muslim community. This prophecy materializes as the army begins to fight on behalf of the Muslims, ultimately achieving success. The narrator concludes her dream by addressing the Prophet.
• 12:00 - 15:30: Modern Day Dreams and Consolation This chapter delves into the significance of dreams featuring the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the Islamic faith. It highlights the profound impact these dreams have had on sustaining the Muslim community and inspiring individuals over generations. A reference is made to Anas ibn Malik, a companion of the Prophet, who served him for a decade in Medina, emphasizing the enduring influence of the Prophet's presence, even in dreams.
• 15:30 - 18:30: Sheikh Kishk's Dream and Passing The chapter focuses on Sheikh Kishk's profound admiration and longing for the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It talks about how Anas, a companion of the Prophet, found immense beauty and blessedness in him, whom he lived and served for 10 years. After the Prophet's passing, Anas lived for another 90 years, during which he deeply missed and yearned to be reunited with him. The chapter highlights Anas' emotional connection by mentioning a narration from Al-Muthanna ibn Sa'id where Anas frequently dreamt of the Prophet every night, showcasing his enduring love and connection to the Prophet even after his death.
• 18:30 - 22:00: Conclusion and Reflection The chapter reflects on the strong emotional bond between Anas radiAllahu ta'ala Anhu and the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Anas, who served the Prophet for 10 years, recounts how he saw the Prophet in his dreams every night for 90 years, indicating a profound and enduring connection. His deep love and devotion were evident as he would cry when speaking of the Prophet, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Upon his death at over 100 years old, Anas requested to be buried with all of his possessions related to the Prophet, emphasizing his lifelong dedication and veneration. The narrative serves as a poignant conclusion and reflection on loyalty, love, and spiritual connection.

How to See the Prophet ﷺ in a Dream | Barzakh | Other Side Ep.5 | Dr. Omar Suleiman | Ramadan Series Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 (air whooshing) - You can meet the Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wasallam tonight, so long as you live like him today. What would it feel like to feel his warmth, to feel his presence, to see his smile, Alayhis Salatu WasSalaam Are your loved ones who walked in the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam's footsteps now sitting with him? And could they be waiting for you to turn your life around here
• 00:30 - 01:00 so that you could join them there? (solemn sounds) Did you hear about the woman from Gaza who dreamt about the genocide before it even happened? She had this dream that went viral over so many groups, just before the images of destruction started to flow in those same groups shortly after.
• 01:00 - 01:30 In this dream, she says, "I saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sitting in the courtyard of Masjid Al-Aqsa, and there were people from all over the world that were coming to gather around him." But these weren't any people, these were the oppressed Muslims. So she says, "I saw Muslims from Syria, I saw Muslims from Yemen, I saw Muslims from Iraq, I saw Muslims from the Uyghurs, and Kashmir and Somalia." And all of them were coming around the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and gathering around him, so the gathering was getting larger and larger.
• 01:30 - 02:00 And the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam looks at them and he smiles and he says, latadkhulun aljanat zomara "You will enter into paradise in large groups." And then he says to them, Nasrullahi atin fa abshirua "The victory of Allah is coming, so glad tidings." Now, when he says that, someone says to the Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam Ya Rasool Allah, wa mataa hadha fawz "O messenger of Allah, when is this victory coming?"
• 02:00 - 02:30 And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam responds and he says,"Shahadah is true victory." And then the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam starts to tell them about his own difficult days with the Sahabah in Mecca. He starts to go through the days that they were tortured, the days that they were run out, the days of their Hijrah, Alayhis Salatu WasSalaam their Uhud and all of the difficult moments that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and his companions faced as if to say, "We've been there." And then as he's saying that, this huge army comes,
• 02:30 - 03:00 and she says that they were so large in body, and so large in number that you couldn't count them, and she said they had faces like the full moon. And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam points to this army and he says, sa tunsaroona bihadha aljaysh, sa tunsaroona bihadha aljaysh "You will be given victory through this army. You will be given victory through this army." And then he pointed to them Alayhis Salatu WasSalaam and they started to fight on behalf of the Muslims until they succeeded. So she said, "At the end of the dream, I looked at him and I said,
• 03:00 - 03:30 ha 'anta Rasul Allah." 'Are you really the messenger of Allah?'" And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, ana nabiyuku Muhammad, ana nabiyuku Muhammad "I am your Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. I am your Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam." These dreams of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasaallam have kept the Ummah of this Prophet going throughout generations and sometimes also individuals. Anas ibn Malik radiya Allahu ta'ala anhu said, "I served the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam for 10 years in Medina
• 03:30 - 04:00 and I have never seen anyone more beautiful or blessed than him. The best of all creation, the best of all character." But after living with him and serving him for 10 years in this duniya, Anas lived another 90 years after the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Can you imagine how much he missed Him? How much he longed to be with him again? And so Al-Muthanna ibn Sa'id narrates that, I heard Anas radiAllahu ta'ala Anhu say, Wallahi, mamin laylatin illa wa ana ara fihaa habibi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
• 04:00 - 04:30 "I swear by Allah that a night does not pass except that I see my beloved Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam." And while he was saying that, Anas radiAllahu ta'ala Anhu would cry. So for 10 years he served him here, and for 90 years he would see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in his dreams and biithnillahi ta'ala he's with him now. And when he said that, he would start to weep radiAllahu Anhu, and when he finally died after being over a 100 years old, he asked to be buried with all of the belongings he still had from the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam,
• 04:30 - 05:00 including his hair and his walking stick. Imagine what that reunion in the Barzakh must have been like after 90 years of dreaming about the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. But here's the thing, you don't have to have lived with the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to connect with him. How do you become someone who is honored enough to see him in your dreams? First let's start with the basics. Every time you send salawat upon him Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the Prophet Alayhi Salaatu Wasalaam said that, "There is no one who sends salaam upon me except that Allah returns my soul to me
• 05:00 - 05:30 so that I could return his salaam to him." In another narration, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "Amongst the best of your days is Friday, so supplicate to Allah more often for me in it, for your salaawat will be displayed to me." And he was asked, ya Rasool Allah. "How will our salaawat be displayed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth at that point?" He said, inallaha azaujal harama ealal'ardi 'ajsad al'anbiya'. "Allah has prohibited the earth
• 05:30 - 06:00 from consuming the bodies of the prophets." So if you send salaam upon him right now, his soul is responding to you fully right now from a body as intact as it was when the Sahabah used to interact with him in Medina. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam also told Muadh radiAllahu Anhu, "The people closest to me are the people of piety, whoever they are and wherever they are." Now, it's important to remember that the threshold of righteousness is not seeing the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in a dream. It's following him in your daily life.
• 06:00 - 06:30 And by the way, some of the most righteous people to live never saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in a dream. And sometimes, someone who isn't that "righteous" still happens to see him, but perhaps that's what Allah prescribes as medicine to that person to get them to take their next step in their journey to Allah 'Azawajal. In any case, it's undoubtedly a profound blessing, as whoever sees him Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has indeed seen him. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam says, "Whoever sees me in a dream has truly seen me,
• 06:30 - 07:00 for Shaytan cannot assume my form." So there are two things extremely important here, that number one, Shaytan can't impersonate him, and that he has to be in his actual form for it to truly be him. Now, how you see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam also can be telling you different things. Imam Ibn-Hajar Rahimullah reports from Abi Jamrah, he says, "If you see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in a beautiful form, then it's a sign of good religion from the dreamer. But if there's a wound or injury to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam,
• 07:00 - 07:30 then that's actually a sign of a deficiency in the deen of the dreamer himself." So a person comes to Ibn Sirin Rahimahullah and says, I saw myself burying the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with my hands. And Ibn Sirin Rahimahullah interpreted that as that man being engaged in bid'ah in innovation, meaning they were burying the Sunnah. On the other hand, many of the scholars saw themselves digging up the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Amongst them was Imam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah, who said, I saw this dream in which I was digging up the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
• 07:30 - 08:00 And then I started to sort out his bones and it was interpreted that he would be sorting out the narrations of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. So it was actually a good dream. Noor-ud-Din Zengi Rahimahullah the predecessor of Salahuddin Rahimahullah, he had this dream of the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam and the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam was looking distressed and he was pointing to two men, and he says to Noor-ud-Din, "save me from these two dogs". So Noor-ud-Din immediately sends two soldiers of his to Medina and he said, look for these two men.
• 08:00 - 08:30 And he gives them the exact appearance. And he finds their two undercover crusaders in the exact appearance that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned in the dream. And they were digging underground to try to infiltrate the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. And Imam Al-Bukhari Rahimahullah He saw himself fanning flies away from the Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, and that was interpreted as him removing the fabricated ahadith that were attributed to him Alayhis Salaatu Wasalaam When Imam Ahmad Rahimahullah was being tortured,
• 08:30 - 09:00 he would see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying to him, be patient, "oh, Ahmad". And even those around him would see dreams about him with the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. So Imam Al-Shafi'i Rahimahullah, he said, I saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in a dream saying, Yabna Idrees "O Ibn Idrees, give glad tidings to this young man Ahmad, that he will soon be tested in the deen of Allah. He will be called to say that he should not say. When he refuses to say what they want him to say, he will indeed be beaten with a whip.
• 09:00 - 09:30 But Allah will surely spread for him knowledge that will not disappear until the day of judgment." Another old man said, 'I saw in a dream yesterday the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Abu Bakr and Umar and they were crossing the canal of Baghdad and the cloak of the Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam fell from his right shoulder. And then you, oh Ahmad rushed forth and you brought that cloak and you placed it back on the shoulder of the Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam So the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam turned to you.
• 09:30 - 10:00 And so did Abu Bakr and Umar. And they said to you, Rejoice, for you are our companion tomorrow in Jannah. And the old man then said to those who are with Ahmad that the cloak that Ahmad put back on the shoulder of the Messenger Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam, was his Sunnah Alayhis Salatu WasSalaam which Ahmad will return to the people.' SubhanAllah it tends to be that seeing the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam visit you in a dream is just like when he would visit you in this dunya. He's affirming you in righteousness, he's advising you to a better way, or he's comforting you in hardship.
• 10:00 - 10:30 And that still happens till this day. Dr. Affia Siddiqui, who might be the most wronged woman on the planet, she mentioned that she saw in a dream the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was consoling her in her pain as an Ummah has forgotten her. And so many others in their most difficult times are given this most precious gift of a dream. One of the most beautiful dreams, Sheikh Kishk Rahimahullah, who woke up on the day of Friday, December 6th, 1996, and he turns to his son
• 10:30 - 11:00 and he says, how old was the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam when he died? He said he was 63. You know that. Sheikh Kishk Rahimahullah said Alhamdulillah! I'm 63. He said, last night I had this dream of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Abu Bakr and Umar, by the way, all of whom died at the age of 63. And the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam looks at me and He says, Salim aala Omar "Give Salaam to Umar." So I gave Salaam to Umar and then I died. And then he says, 'I saw myself in this dream zoomed out
• 11:00 - 11:30 with my body being washed by the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Abu Bakr and Omar, and SubhanAllah that same day Sheikh Kishk Rahimahullah would die in his Sujood, on a Friday. Just as he used to make dua to Allah for. But that's after living a life of loving the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and seeking to extend his light on earth. That's the point at the end of the day, as Ibn Qayyim Rahimahullah says, this love is established in this dunya
• 11:30 - 12:00 and then in the barzakh and then in the dar al-jazaa, the home of the hereafter. And a person will be with whom he loves in all of these abodes. So strive, strive, strive And if you aren't gifted with seeing him here, you will be gifted with him receiving you there in the Barzakh, InshaAllah and with his companionship in Jannah forever thereafter. Now, even if you feel unworthy as you work towards the moment, your soul can bask in the Prophet's presence.
• 12:00 - 12:30 Do you ever dare to dream of meeting the one he and you worshiped? Because if you can see the best of Allah's creation in your dreams, what about seeing Allah himself. La'alleee a'malu saalihan feemaa tarakt kallaa innaha kalimatun huwa qaaa'iluhaa
• 12:30 - 13:00 wa minw waraaa'ihim barzakhun ilaa Yawmi yub'asoon (Quran 23:100) Closed captioning provided by MUHSEN (www.muhsen.org)