*The Impermissibility of Relating Unpleasant Dreams* It is well known that the default ruling on the prohibitions issued by the Prophet ﷺ is that they indicate impermissibility unless there is evidence to the contrary. The Prophet ﷺ has, in multiple narrations, prohibited speaking about unpleasant dreams. This prohibition suggests an absolute restriction on discussing bad dreams and refraining from mentioning them altogether, regardless of how much they may distress, worry, or frighten the dreamer. However, if the person who saw the dream strongly believes that the dream has a positive interpretation or wants to seek reassurance, it is permissible for them to mention it, provided that they speak only to a trustworthy and knowledgeable dream interpreter. This interpreter must be well-versed in the science of dream interpretation and skilled in dealing with such dreams. In this case, the interpreter may either provide an explanation if there is a meaningful interpretation or advise the person that the dream holds no meaning and should not be shared with others. However, sharing such dreams with anyone other than a qualified dream interpreter is impermissible. Among the evidences that support the prohibition of recounting unpleasant dreams is the hadith narrated by Abu Qatādah (may Allāh be pleased with him), in which he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “If anyone of you sees a dream he dislikes, he should not tell it to anyone.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 7044; Muslim, 2264; and Ahmad, 5/296] In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said: “If any of you has a dream that frightens him, he should spit lightly to his left and seek refuge in Allah from its evil, for it will not harm him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 3292] Additionally, the hadith of Abdullah ibn ’Amr (may Allāh be pleased with him), in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If one sees anything other than that (a good dream), then it is from Shayṭān to distress him, so he should remain silent and not inform anyone about it.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 2/219; authenticated by other sources] Similarly, Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “If one sees something unpleasant, then it is from Shayṭān, and he should not mention it to anyone, for it will not harm him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 6985] Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If one of you sees a dream that pleases him, let him mention it and have it interpreted. But if he sees a dream that distresses him, he should neither mention it nor seek its interpretation.” [Narrated by Ibn Abdil Barr in At-Tamhīd, 2871; authenticated as a sound hadith] These narrations confirm that unpleasant dreams should not be discussed or interpreted unless there is a strong belief in a positive meaning, and even then, only with a trusted and skilled dream interpreter. Source: إتحاف الكرام بفقه الرؤى والأحلام للحوباني 104-105