Last night I had an incredibly vivid dream—my grandfather, who passed away five years ago, was sitting in his old armchair, smiling and sipping tea, just like he used to. When I woke up, I was stunned for a long time, feeling both warm and a little unsettled: What does this mean? He’s already gone, right? How could he have “come back”?
Suddenly I remembered hearing that Muslims place great importance on dreams, especially those involving the deceased. So I decided to look into it seriously—to see what such dreams signify in Islamic culture.
Early the next morning, I brewed a cup of coffee and began my “investigation”
I fired up my computer and typed in: “How does Islam interpret dreaming of deceased people alive?” The results were all over the place—from slapdash “dream interpretation manuals” to seemingly authoritative religious forums. Skipping the clickbait headlines, I finally clicked on an old thread written by an imam (equivalent to an Islamic teacher or cleric), which went into great detail.
I devoured over twenty pages of material in one go, my eyes nearly blurring from the strain, but I finally grasped the key point: in Islamic dream interpretation, dreaming of a deceased person “alive” isn’t something to be frightened by—it might actually carry significant meaning.
The Key Point: Focus on “State,” Not ‘Appearance’
The core principle of Islamic dream interpretation is this: Don’t just look at “who appeared,” but at “their state.”
If the person in the dream appears happy, peaceful, neatly dressed, and smiling →
This is usually good news! It means they’re doing well in the afterlife, so there’s no need to worry excessively. Sometimes, it’s even a comforting message from Allah (the Islamic deity) to reassure you that your loved ones aren’t suffering.
If the person in your dream appears sad, anxious, seeking your help, or dressed in rags →
This dream may be reminding you: it’s time to do something for them. For example, pray for them, donate money to charity, or recite a verse of scripture dedicated to them. In Islam, good deeds performed by the living can be “transmitted” to departed loved ones.
I’ve also seen mentions that some dreams are actually “reminders from Allah”—not to frighten you, but to remind you not to forget those who have departed yet remain important to you.
How should I interpret my own dreams?
In my dream, my grandfather sat in his usual spot, sipping tea with a perfectly natural smile, exactly as he was in life.There was no sign of suffering or distress. Based on what I’ve researched, this is most likely a “reassurance” dream.
I recalled the Quran’s teaching that good dreams are glad tidings from Allah. Thinking this way brought me great peace—it wasn’t him “returning to see me,” but “telling me he’s well.”
Thinking alone isn’t enough—I decided to take concrete action
After researching, I didn’t let the dream pass unnoticed. The next day at noon, I went to the mosque, offered a simple prayer, and recited a passage from Al-Fatiha (a crucial chapter in Islamic scripture) specifically to “send” this blessing to my grandfather.
I also donated £20 to the local food bank in his name. Why this choice?Because when he was alive, Grandpa loved organizing meals most of all. He’d invite anyone who visited to stay for dinner, and neighbors called him a “living saint.” I felt commemorating him in a way he cherished held the most meaning.
Remarkably—after doing these things—that “heavy feeling upon waking” gradually faded. Not because the dream was “solved,” but because I “did something.”
A Few Final Honest Words
Dreaming of the deceased “alive” is actually quite common. In Islamic culture, this isn’t a supernatural event or your “imagination running wild,” but rather:
- It could mean they’re doing well in the next world and are sending you a message of peace;
- Or it might be that they need you to do something good for them, like praying, donating money, or performing acts of kindness;
- But regardless, Islam teaches: Don’t be afraid, don’t overthink—respond with action.
Pray, donate a little, recite a verse… These things aren’t hard, but afterward, you’ll feel a deep sense of peace. Not because the “dream was solved,” but because you and the departed have gently “reconnected” in some way.
Dreams are sometimes longing, sometimes reminders, sometimes gifts. Don’t rush to fear; try to understand and respond. You’ll discover that those who’ve left are actually always silently caring for you in their own way.
—And what you need to do is not let their intentions go unanswered.
