Three Kinds of Dreams — Essence of Islam Vol. 2

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Three Kinds of Dreams, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 2: Revelation, Inspiration, Vision and Dream
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: The Type of People Who Experience Heavenly Signs | Next: Revelation of Trial and Revelation of Exaltation »

countenance of the Divine One is fully disclosed…. The lights of Divine revelation are accepted in their perfect condition by a soul which is perfectly purified. Mere dreams or revelation do not indicate any excellence in the recipient unless, his soul being perfectly purified, he exhibits this reflection and the countenance of the True Beloved is displayed in his soul.
[Haqiqat-ul-Wahi , Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, pp. 22-26]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 126]

Dreams are of three kinds—egoistic, satanic and divine. Egoistic dreams are a reflection of one’s own thoughts like a cat dreaming of flecks of meat. A satanic dream is wild and frightening. A divine dream is a message from God; their proof is a matter of experience. These are Divine matters which are far distant from this world. If we judge them by reason another person cannot understand them and we cannot make him understand. These are signs of the existence of God Almighty which He casts upon the heart from the unseen. When we find that what we were told has come to pass, we begin to believe in it. An instrument of this world cannot recognize these things. These are spiritual matters and are recognizable only spiritually. A true dream bears witness to its own truth.
[Malfuzat, vol. IV, pp. 368-369]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 126]

Dreams and visions of all are not alike. The perfect vision, which in the Holy Qur’an is described as the disclosing of the unseen, is like a perfect circle and is not bestowed upon everyone, but only upon the elect. The vision or revelation that comes to a defective person is itself defective and puts him to shame. Disclosing the unseen is an experience like that of a person who mounts to the top of a high building and observes the surroundings and can easily distinguish everything. A person who desires to see the same things from a low level misses many of them. It is the way of God with His elect that He elevates their sight to a height whence they can observe everything easily and are able to give information of the end. One standing at a low level cannot predict the end. That is how Bal‘am was deceived concerning Moses (peace be on him) and he failed to discern his high status which would have induced him to be respectful.
[Haqiqat-ul-Mahdi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 14, pp. 442-443]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 2, p. 126]

Have a Question?

Introduction