Seeing Allah in a Dream

Question

Is it possible / permissible for someone to state that they saw Allah in their dream?

Answer

It is possible to see Allah in the dream. This is the position of the reliable Scholars in the Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaa’ah. It has been narrated regarding Imam Abu Haneefah and other great Imams (Allah is pleased with them) that they saw Allah in their sleep.

In Al-Mu’taqad Al-Muntaqad, Imam Mu’een Al-Haqq Fadl Al-Rasool Al-Hanafi writes:

“(As for seeing Allah in the dream) it is possible according to the Jamhoor (reliable Scholars) because it is a type of vision from the heart. There is nothing denying its possibility. It is a reality, as has been recorded from many of the predecessors. From amongst them, are Imam Haneefah and Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal (Allah is pleased with them both).”

He further writes:

“Al-Qaadi (Iyaad) has mentioned a consensus regarding the permissibility of seeing Allah in the dream, even if it is with an attribute that is not appropriate for Allah.”

Similar is mentioned in Manh Al-Rawd Al-Azhar and then it mentions a narration from Imam Abu Haneefah that he said:

“I saw the Lord ninety nine times in the dream”

Then it mentions that he saw Allah one more time which completed a century.

In Bahar-e-Shariat, it says:

“Seeing Allah in the worldly life is specific (special) for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); and in the hereafter it is possible, in fact a reality, for every Sunni Muslim. As for a vision of the heart or in the dream, this has occurred for the Prophets and also for the Awliyaa’ (friends of Allah); our Imam Azam (Abu Haneefah) saw Allah a hundred times in the dream.”

This vision in the dream is possible, just like the Muslims will see Allah in reality in the hereafter.

And Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
2nd Ramadan Al-Mubaarak 1436 AH