Strange Dreams and Night Behavior

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: I was wondering if you could shed some light on the below.

What is the reality/meaning behind people who behave bizarrely during the sleep. I sometimes speak, get-up and do stuff and have what can be described as total mumble-jumble dreams (completely non-sense stuff). I often dismiss the dreams but what worries me is the getting out the bed and doing stuff in my sleep.

However, I am very steadfast in reciting the Quls and Ayahtul Kursi before sleeping.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health states.

As long as you are taking the means prescribed by the sunna to ward off the devil, then you should not be worried any jinn involvement with respect to your dreams or behavior during sleep. You might want to consult a physician to see if there is an underlying medical condition that can be dealt with.

The means to ward off the devil include:

(a) Seek refuge in Allah Most High, by saying, A’udhu bi Llahi min ash-shaytani r-rajim [Bukhari, Muslim]; and recite Ayat al-Kursi, as well as the last three surahs (Ikhlas, Falaq, Nas) [Tabarani, Mu’jam Kabir].

These verses can be recited after each prayer once, and in the morning and evening three times each.

(b) Be consistent in remembrance of Allah (dhikr). Dhikr is a powerful fortress that blocks out the devil’s whisperings, which are in reality of no power or consequence. As Ibn Ata’illah states, “If the devil is not heedless of you, then do not you be heedless of the One in Whose Hand is your forelock.” Allah is in full control. Allah created the devil to spur us forward in our journey to Him Most High.

(c) Find good company—people who make much remembrance of Allah, and who remind you to do the like.

(d) Learn sacred knowledge under righteous scholars so you know the reality of the Sacred Law and its limits. Implement what you learn. The more sound knowledge one has of the religion, the more empowered one is to deal with the devil.
(e) Maintain a strong relationship with the Qur’an, reading some portion daily, however little. Make sure you pray all five prayers on time, and try to attend the mosque for as many of the five as you can.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani