Q 3: What is the meaning of the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever sees me in a dream will indeed see me in wakefulness...” ?

A: The meaning of the Hadith is that whoever sees the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a dream as he really looked in life, his dream will come true and he will see the fulfillment of the tidings it referred to in his actual life. Because seeing the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his real image is a true dream, as indicated by the Prophet’s saying at the end of the Hadith: ...Satan cannot appear in my form. However, the Hadith does not mean that one will see the Messenger (peace be upon him) in person in the state of wakefulness. For a further explanation of this Hadith, please refer to the book entitled “Fatah Al-Bari” by Ibn Hajar (may Allah be merciful to him), chapter of Ta‘bir (The Interpretation of Dreams). Al-Bukhari also reported this Hadith, under the chapter of Ta‘bir, on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever sees me in a dream has indeed seen me, for Satan cannot appear in my form. This Hadith means that whoever sees the Prophet (peace be upon him) as he looked when he lived, his dream is true, as Satan cannot assume his form. In addition, Muslim narrated in his Sahih (Book of Authentic Hadith) this Hadith with the following wording: (Part No. 1; Page No. 485)  Whoever sees me in a dream will see me... This Hadith indicates the truthfulness of the dream and that its interpretation will be realized.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.