Skip to content

In short

In Islamic dream interpretation, wind in a dream, on Ibn Sirin and Al-Nabulsi's reading, is a symbol of an affair that proceeds without the dreamer's choosing — a sovereign decree or a decree that runs irresistibly, according to Al-Nabulsi and Ibn Sirin. The reading skews favourable, with the precise meaning hinging on the symbol's colour, motion, and the dreamer's state.

Qurʾanic & Hadith References

"And to Sulaymān We subjected the wind, blowing strongly, running by his command to the land which We had blessed."
Surah al-Anbiyāʾ 21:81

This verse and its sisters concerning Allah's subjugation of the wind to Sulaymān (peace be upon him) are a foundation for interpreting wind in a dream as an affair that runs by sovereignty — whoever obeys Allah, the wind obeys him; whoever opposes Him, the wind opposes him. The Qur'an also paired it with chastisement upon ‘Ād — "We sent against them a furious wind in days of misfortune" (Qur'an 41:16). The interpreters thereby divided wind into two faces: a gentle one running with good, and a violent one running as a warning — both an affair in which the dreamer has no choice.

Symbolic Meaning

Wind in a dream, on Ibn Sirin and Al-Nabulsi's reading, is a symbol of an affair that proceeds without the dreamer's choosing — a sovereign decree or a decree that runs irresistibly. The Qur'an itself divides wind into two principal faces: a wind of mercy — "And We sent the winds, fertilising" — and a violent wind bearing chastisement, as with the wind of ‘Ād. Upon this Qur'anic foundation the interpretation rests: a gentle pleasant wind is glad tidings, and a destroying tempest is a warning of misfortune running over the dreamer and the people of his region.

Spiritual Dimension

According to Ibn Sirin: A gentle, pleasant wind in a dream is victory for the sovereign and rest for the subjects; one who sees a wind driving rain-laden cloud has had relief come after hardship. A still breeze in a merchant's dream is the brisk circulation of goods, and in a traveller's dream the safety of the road.

Warning Signs

According to Al-Nabulsi: A tempest in a dream that overturns trees and brings down roofs is a warning of a general misfortune running over the people of the region — a tyrannical sovereign or a fearful decree — grounded in the saying of Allah Most High: "So We sent against them a furious wind in days of misfortune," in the chastisement of ‘Ād.

Where Scholars Disagreed

These are matters on which the scholars read the symbol differently; both readings are presented with full attribution so the reader can weigh context.

In general

Ibn Sirin — A gentle, pleasant wind in a dream is victory for the sovereign and rest for the subjects; one who sees a wind driving rain-laden cloud has had relief come after hardship. A still breeze in a merchant's dream is the brisk circulation of goods, and in a traveller's dream the safety of the road.

Al-Nabulsi — A tempest in a dream that overturns trees and brings down roofs is a warning of a general misfortune running over the people of the region — a tyrannical sovereign or a fearful decree — grounded in the saying of Allah Most High: "So We sent against them a furious wind in days of misfortune," in the chastisement of ‘Ād.

How the Scholars Approached This Symbol

Al-Nabulsi

Al-Nābulsī combines Ibn Sirin's narrative method with the Ṣūfī method of ishārah (symbolic indication). He arranges symbols lexically, citing the views of earlier scholars before adding a Ṣūfī consideration or subtle note. He gives greater weight to the dreamer's state, intention, and the setting of the dream.

Ibn Sirin

Ibn Sirin's method links symbols first to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Arabic language; then to proverbs and poetry; then to the dreamer's state. He delivers brief, source-anchored readings and insists that a dream varies from one person to another according to circumstance and time.

Practical Response — What to Do After Such a Dream

When a dream of Wind admits more than one reading, the believer is advised to be patient and to seek istikhāra before acting on it:

  1. The dreamer should not rush to a single interpretation but gather the indicators: his own state, the state of his family, the time, the setting of the dream, and the degree of clarity. Interpretation is the child of context, as the masters of taʿbīr have said.
  2. It is recommended to consult people of knowledge and experience in dream interpretation. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not relate a dream except to a scholar or a sincere counsellor." Hastening to an unverified interpreter can cause confusion that was not needed.
  3. The servant should pray ṣalāt al-istikhāra in any matter of consequence, and not tie his decision to a dream alone. Istikhāra is an established sunnah for whoever seeks the good of Allah in his affair.
  4. The servant should maintain remembrance of Allah and seek His forgiveness — this clarifies the heart and shows the dreamer what is true. Ibn Sirin said: "The most truthful of you in your dreams is the most truthful of you in your speech."

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wind mean in a dream according to Islam?

Wind in a dream, on Ibn Sirin and Al-Nabulsi's reading, is a symbol of an affair that proceeds without the dreamer's choosing — a sovereign decree or a decree that runs irresistibly. The Qur'an itself divides wind into two principal faces: a wind of mercy — "And We sent the winds, fertilising" — and a violent wind bearing chastisement, as with the wind of ‘Ād. Upon this Qur'anic foundation the interpretation rests: a gentle pleasant wind is glad tidings, and a destroying tempest is a warning of misfortune running over the dreamer and the people of his region.

What does Islamic tradition say about dreaming of Wind?

Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen interpret a dream of Wind within the Islamic tradition, anchored in the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the dreamer's state.

Is dreaming of Wind a good or a bad sign?

The reading of Wind holds several possibilities depending on the dreamer and the context of the dream.

Does the meaning of Wind change with the mood of the dream?

Yes — the reading shifts with the qualities of the dream: the symbol's condition, its colour, and its motion are all clues a competent interpreter uses.

How should one respond after dreaming of Wind?

The believer is encouraged after a dream to praise God if it was good, to seek refuge from its evil and tell no one if it was disliked, and to pray the istikhāra prayer when facing an important matter.

Did the scholars of Islamic dream interpretation disagree about Wind?

Yes — the scholars differed in certain situations. See the "Where Scholars Disagreed" section above for both readings with full attribution.

Where can I find the original sources for the Wind interpretation?

The primary sources are: Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām by Ibn Sirin, Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām by Al-Nabulsi, and al-Ishārāt fī ʿIlm al-ʿIbārāt by Ibn Shaheen. A complete bibliography appears in the "References & Sources" section at the foot of this page.

What are the favourable meanings of seeing Wind in a dream?

A gentle, pleasant wind in a dream is victory for the sovereign and rest for the subjects; one who sees a wind driving rain-laden cloud has had relief come after hardship. A still breeze in a merchant's dream is the brisk circulation of goods, and in a traveller's dream the safety of the road.

What are the warning signs of dreaming about Wind?

A tempest in a dream that overturns trees and brings down roofs is a warning of a general misfortune running over the people of the region — a tyrannical sovereign or a fearful decree — grounded in the saying of Allah Most High: "So We sent against them a furious wind in days of misfortune," in the chastisement of ‘Ād.

How do the scholars of Islamic dream interpretation interpret a dream about Wind?

This symbol is treated by Al-Nabulsi and Ibn Sirin, who set out its rulings and the gradations of its interpretation in the works cited in the References section at the foot of this page.

Is there a Qurʾanic or hadith reference for the interpretation of Wind?

Yes — Surah al-Anbiyāʾ 21:81: "And to Sulaymān We subjected the wind, blowing strongly, running by his command to the land which We had blessed."

Dreams often seen together

Symbols frequently paired with Wind in the dream-interpretation literature. Open each symbol's own page for its standalone interpretation.

References & Sources

  1. (1050 AH / 1641 CE — 1143 AH / 1731 CE, Damascus). Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām.
    Short biography & methodology

    A great Ṣūfī scholar and Ḥanafī jurist, one of the foremost figures of Damascus in the 11th century AH. He combined jurisprudence, Sufism, and the literary sciences and authored some two hundred works. His book on dream interpretation is an encyclopaedic reference that collects the citations of his predecessors and adds his own Ṣūfī insights.

    Al-Nābulsī combines Ibn Sirin's narrative method with the Ṣūfī method of ishārah (symbolic indication). He arranges symbols lexically, citing the views of earlier scholars before adding a Ṣūfī consideration or subtle note. He gives greater weight to the dreamer's state, intention, and the setting of the dream.

  2. (33 AH / 654 CE — 110 AH / 728 CE, Basra). Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (Taʿṭīr al-Anām is also attributed to him).
    Short biography & methodology

    A noble tābiʿī and reliable scholar among the imams of Basra. He was raised in the household of Anas ibn Mālik, the Prophet's ﷺ servant, and took knowledge from a number of the Companions. Renowned for his scrupulousness and command of hadith, he became the reference point for dream interpretation in the Islamic tradition.

    Ibn Sirin's method links symbols first to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Arabic language; then to proverbs and poetry; then to the dreamer's state. He delivers brief, source-anchored readings and insists that a dream varies from one person to another according to circumstance and time.

Last reviewed: — editorial review against the primary sources of Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen.

Interpretations are based on the works of Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen, and may vary by scholar.