The Noble Qur'an in Surat Al-Anfal carries a divine message where God Almighty, peace and blessings be upon Him, communicates with His Noble Messenger. The verse reads, "When God revealed them to you in your dream a bit. And you would have failed and quarreled over the issue if He had shown them a lot. God, however, has provided. He is All-Wise, and He knows what is in the breasts."

Within the Islamic faith, the interpretation of dreams holds significant importance. God Almighty granted Prophet Joseph, peace be upon him, the unique ability to interpret dreams, as stated in Surat Joseph, verse 6 of the Holy Qur'an: "And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of dreams and complete His favor upon you."

Furthermore, God Almighty conveyed a divine message through a dream to His Prophet Abraham, peace be upon them both, instructing him to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Abraham's unwavering response was, "Whatever you are commanded, you will find me, God willing, among those who are patient." (As-Saffat, verse 102). This illustrates the significance of dreams as a means of divine guidance.

From the perspective of Islam, a dream's vision is considered an unquestionable reality, and God has chosen His prophets and the righteous to possess the ability to interpret dreams.

Now, the question arises: How can one learn the art of dream interpretation?

The interpretation of dreams has been a topic of contention within the Muslim community. We have demonstrated that Islamic faith regards dreams as revelations and signs from God Almighty, bestowed upon anyone He chooses. Visions are regarded as genuine, and those who adhere to Islam and its teachings do not dispute their existence.

However, the most significant debate among practicing Muslims revolves around whether dream interpretation is a divine talent, a learnable science through study and investigation, or perhaps a combination of both.

The first perspective: Interpretation as a divine gift

According to proponents of this viewpoint, the ability to interpret dreams is a divine gift from God Almighty, bestowed upon certain prophets, messengers, saints, and righteous individuals. Understanding the messages conveyed through dreams is considered an innate skill, not attainable through education, research, or practice. Therefore, those who have not been granted this capacity by God cannot acquire it through any means.

Prominent figures like His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Ali Jumah and other scholars align with this viewpoint. They support their stance by pointing out instances where the Noble Messenger refrained from interpreting dreams due to receiving revelations from God. Additionally, they note that different people may interpret the same dream differently, and a single dream may have multiple valid interpretations. Thus, the Noble Messenger occasionally chose not to interpret dreams at all.

The second perspective: Dream interpretation as a learned science

The second viewpoint asserts that, like any other discipline, the art of dream interpretation can be learned through reading, investigation, and study. While acknowledging the existence of innate talent for dream interpretation, proponents of this perspective view it as a skill that can be honed. They draw parallels to fields like medicine, where students, while possessing a common foundation of knowledge, may develop unique skills and expertise in their practice.

Practitioners who engage with the works of dream interpreters such as Ibn Sirin, Al-Qadri, Ibn Shaheen, Al-Nabulsi, and other notable scholars align with this viewpoint. They consider these interpretations as reliable standards for analyzing dreams and gaining insights into the dreamer's condition and the specifics of the dream.

In conclusion, dream interpretation in Islam is a subject of profound significance and debate, encompassing both the belief in innate, divine talent and the possibility of acquiring the skill through study and practice.