When the king of Egypt told his dream to the officials, they said that the king's dream was a nonsense dream (أَضغاث٠أَØلامÙ). But when it was told to Prophet Yusuf who had knowledge about it, then the dream was a message that saved the future of the Egyptian people. Therefore, to interpret dreams, not just anyone can do it. He needs to have specific characteristics and criteria as mentioned in the Al-Quran:
- Has reached the rank of Muhsinin
The dream interpreter must be trustworthy, honest and sincere. This is based on God's words about the story of 2 young men who asked Prophet Yusuf to interpret their dreams;
We see you among the doers of good.
" We found you (Oh Yusuf) from the people who do kindness ." (Yusuf: 36)
- Corroborative
The dream interpreter must be truthful in actions, conversations and intentions. This is based on the word of God (when the king of Egypt said);
Joseph, O righteous man
" Oh Yusuf is a very righteous person (in all matters) ." (Yusuf: 46)
- Investigate and understand the condition of someone who asks for a dream interpretation
A dream interpreter must be a wise and thorough person in interpreting a dream. He cannot casually interpret dreams without knowing a person's background or the surrounding environment. This is based on the use of the word "نَبÙّئنا" in verse 36 of surah Yusuf which refers to 2 young men (ordinary people) who asked about their fate. While the word used by the king is "Ø£ÙŽÙتÙنا " or " give guidance (fatwa) to us " in surah Yusuf verse 46 referring to the position of the king who acts for the benefit of the people.
To explain this, the story that happened between the most famous dream interpreters in Islam, Sheikh Muhammad bin Sirin and Sheikh Hasan Al-Basri, is a good example. One night, Sheikh Hasan al-Basri dreamed that he was in an animal enclosure naked while holding a stick. Since he had a little conflict with Ibnu Sirin, he told his student to ask Ibnu Sirin what the interpretation of his dream was. After the student narrated the dream, Ibnu Sirin continued to say that the student did not deserve to have such a dream. He then told the students to tell the owner of the dream to come and meet him. Finally, Sheikh Hasan al-Basri had to come and tell his dream. Ibnu Sirin interprets that the animal cage is a reference to the dirty world, the naked state refers to Sheikh Hasan who has thrown away all desire for the dirty world, while the stick is a sign that Sheikh Hasan is the right guide and savior of the people. Ibnu Sirin stated that no one deserves such a dream except a pious person like Hasan al-Basri.
- Dream interpretation must be in line with the Quran or Hadith
Allah SWT said:
So if you disagree about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final outcome.
"If you disagree on something, then you should return it to the (Book) of Allah (Al-Quran) and the (Sunnah) of His Messenger - if you truly believe in Allah and the Hereafter. That is better for you and contains the best guidance.” (An-Nisa': 59)
In interpreting dreams, the best references are the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet SAW. This is one of the things done by Sheikh Ibnu Sirin. One day, he was visited by 2 men who dreamed the same thing, which is that they heard the call to prayer. Ibnu Sirin stated that the first man would perform Hajj while the second man would be slandered as a thief. After the two left, the students asked why the dream was the same but the interpretation was different. So Ibnu Sirin stated that the first man was a pious and good-natured person. So according to the situation with his dream with the words of Allah SWT:
And proclaim to mankind the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every leg.
"And call mankind to perform the Hajj, surely they will come to your (house of God) on foot..." (Al-Hajj:27)
While the second man is a wicked and bad-mannered person. So according to the situation with his dream based on the words of Allah SWT;
Then a crier called out, “O caravan, you are surely thieves.”
Then called a caller: "O people of this caravan, indeed you are thieves". (Yusuf: 70)
