Step by step

What to do when you have a bad dream

The Sunnah steps after a bad dream, and what to do with a good one.

1
Seek refuge in Allah
Say "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" three times. The Prophet ﷺ said a bad dream is from Shaytan.
2
Spit lightly to the left
Blow lightly, with a little dryness, to your left three times.
3
Turn to the other side
Change the side you were sleeping on.
4
Pray if you wish
Get up and pray two rak'ahs if you can.
5
Do not tell anyone
Do not describe the dream or look for its interpretation. The Prophet ﷺ said that if you do these things it will not harm you.

Questions

Common questions

What should I do after a good dream?

Praise Allah for it, and share it only with people you love and trust.

My child has nightmares. What can I do?

Teach them the bedtime duas and Ayat al-Kursi, recite the last three surahs over them, and comfort them.

Do dreams always mean something?

No. Some dreams are from Allah, some from Shaytan, and some are just what a person was thinking about during the day.

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