Answer
Short Answer: Dreams can be clear or confusing and sometimes distressing. According to the Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), they come in three types: Righteous ones that are good news from Allah, the sad ones from the Shayateen (devils), and those that are the rambling of our subconscious. You were understandably a little confused. Your repeated dreams of being in a Mosque and choosing a Muslim name during a ceremony was clearly not ramblings of the mind nor sad or frightening. So, we can conclude that your dream is a true and righteous dream from Allah.
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Sleep and Dreams
Muslims believe that during this life, the soul resides in the body. During sleep, it comes out but is still attached in some way and during death the soul is detached and is taken to the hereafter through a barrier called the barzakh. Allah swt says:
“Allah takes the souls at the time of death, and takes those that do not die during their sleep. He withholds those for whom He decreed death and sends the others back for an appointed term.” (Quran 39:42).
This makes sleep and death similar in some ways.
The world of dreams is a reality for most of us – some of them scare us half to death, some make our hearts happy and others we wake up confused thinking, “what was that?” The most amazing ones are when we realise good news or guidance is being sent to us by our Creator. Sometimes we aren’t sure what it is but it draws us in like a flower drinks up the morning sunlight; suddenly our hearts become ignited. These dreams are not limited and can come to anyone at any time, regardless of faith.
The Prophet (saw) would ask his companions regularly if they had any dreams so he could interpret them. He would also allow companions to interpret one another’s dreams. However he also said,
‘Don’t relate your dreams except to scholars and confidents.’
Sahih Tirmidi, vol 2, no 5641
Guidance from Our Creator
Hidayah (guidance) is offered to different people in different ways. Allah invites people to believe in Him and accept Islam, or for a Muslim to change a direction in their lives. It can come through dreams, the feelings in the heart, people coming into and out of our lives. Often it’s a combination of all these factors.
This journey can take hours, days or even years. Each individual is guided in a completely unique way…one that suits them. Once we receive guidance, it is up to us to decide what to do with it. We can act on it or to ignore it. We have been given a will of our own – Allah says,
‘There’s no compulsion in religion.’ (Quran 2:256)
Each path we choose has a different outcome which we don’t know at the time.
We are told by Aisha (raa) wife of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) that,
‘The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger was in the form of good righteous (true) dreams in his sleep. He never had a dream but that it came true like bright daylight.’
Dreams can come true and can be indicators of a future event, but of course, unlike the Prophet (saw), we don’t know this until it happens. The scholars mention that even if dreams do indicate something to come, they can’t be used to try and predict the future. It feels amazing when they do come true and shows those blessed enough to receive them that Allah is indeed guiding and protecting us even when we don’t realise it.
The Mosque and Your Dream
We have already worked out that your dream is one of those dreams: a form of guidance from Allah. You have chosen to act on it which means you are following an amazing path. A Masjid (mosque) is the house of Allah; a place where Muslims worship, community hubs for all faiths and more.
You have a repeating dream of a ceremony in a Masjid which may be a Shahada (declaration of faith) ceremony which you then accepted by accepting a Muslim name. The name change may represent a change of life and faith path. Your journey is beautifully guided in the most perfect of ways. Your love for a Muslim man, made you familiar with Muslims and the dreams you are having are gently encouraging you to ask questions about Islam – which you are.
Now you are on this path – it’s up to you to decide where to walk. Each and every step will be unique and amazing. May Allah guide your heart to Islam my dear friend. I am honoured to have a small part in your journey.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
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