Good from Allah, Bad from Satan
Sahih al-Bukhari 6985
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah, and he should thank Allah for it and narrate it to others; but if he sees something else, i.e., a dream that he dislikes, then it is from Satan, and he should seek refuge with Allah from its evil, and he should not mention it to anybody, for it will not harm him.”
- This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari (6985) indicates that if a person sees a dream that they like, it is considered a good dream and is from Allah. On the other hand, if a person sees a dream that they dislike, it is considered a bad dream and is from Satan. The hadith advises that in the case of a bad dream, a person should seek refuge in Allah and not disclose it to anyone. it suggests that bad dreams or nightmares can come from negative thoughts, anxieties, or the whisperings of Satan. Seeking refuge in Allah and not disclosing the bad dream is a way to protect oneself from its potential negative effects. It is important to note that in Islamic belief, Allah is the only one who has the power to create and control all things, including dreams.
Free Will and Divine Wisdom
In Islam, bad dreams occur based on a person’s weak faith. Satan has only limited power to whisper to humans, and the power he possesses was originally given to him by Allah. However, Satan uses this power by his own will, thinking it benefits him. Yet, his presence serves a greater purpose in humanity, acting as a test for believers, Bad dreams are not directly forced by Allah but happen due to a person’s spiritual state. A strong faith can protect against them, while weak faith makes a person more vulnerable to Satan’s whispers. Since free will is a core part of human existence, Allah allows Satan to exist as a trial. The question then arises: Why doesn’t Allah stop Satan? The answer lies in the divine wisdom behind free will and the test of faith. If Satan were removed, there would be no challenge in distinguishing true believers from those who follow their desires. Just as light is understood through the existence of darkness, good is recognized in contrast to evil. Allah has given guidance through the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ to protect oneself from Satan’s influence. Therefore, bad dreams serve as a reminder to strengthen one’s faith rather than a sign of forced oppression from Satan
Related Article: Free Will and Predestination
A. Allah Created a System of Tests and Trials
📖Surah Al-Mulk 67:2
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed—and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”
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- Allah created life as a test, which includes challenges like Satan’s whispers and bad dreams.
- Seeking refuge is part of passing this test—it’s about turning to Allah in times of distress.
B. Allah Allows Satan Limited Power as Part of This Test
📖Surah Al-Hijr 15:39-40
“[Iblis] said, ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all,
Except, among them, Your chosen servants.'”
- Allah granted Satan limited power to mislead people who are careless or weak in faith.
- Satan cannot act beyond the limits set by Allah—he can only influence, not force.
📖Surah Al-Isra 17:65
“Indeed, over My [true] servants you have no authority, and sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs.”
- True believers are protected if they seek Allah’s help.
- Seeking refuge makes Satan’s influence powerless—this is the purpose of the test.
2. Logical Explanation: Why Seek Refuge if Allah Allowed It?
A. Permission is Not the Same as Approval
- Allah permits Satan to cause bad dreams, but that does not mean He approves of them.
- Example: A teacher may allow students to face difficult exams, but that doesn’t mean the teacher wants them to fail.
- Allah allows challenges so that we can show our faith and reliance on Him.
B. Seeking Refuge is Like Using a Shield
- Allah allows fire to burn, but He also gives us water to extinguish it.
- Bad dreams (fire) come from Satan, but seeking refuge (water) removes their harm.
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…”
- Allah doesn’t give us problems without solutions, seeking refuge is the solution to Satan’s whispers.
C. Strengthening the Connection with Allah
- If there were no challenges, people would forget Allah.
- Seeking refuge builds a habit of turning to Allah in all matters, making our faith stronger.
📖Surah Az-Zumar 39:36
“Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they threaten you with those [they worship] besides Him…”
- By seeking refuge, we acknowledge that Allah is our only protector.
3. Why Not Just Stop Satan Complete
A. Free Will Must Exist for the Test to Be Valid
- If Allah completely removed Satan’s influence, there would be no test.
- The test of life is to see who seeks Allah and who follows Satan.
📖Surah Ash-Shams 91:7-8
“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with [the ability to discern] its wickedness and its righteousness.”
- Allah gave us the ability to choose, and seeking refuge is part of making the right choice.
B. Even Prophets Were Tested
📖Surah Al-A’raf 7:200
“And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.”
- Even the Prophet (ﷺ) was commanded to seek refuge—this shows that turning to Allah is the key to overcoming tests.
Did Allah “put Iblis in error?
📖Surah Al-Hijr 15:39-40
“[Iblis] said, ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all, except, among them, Your chosen servants.'”
So, why did Allah “put Iblis in error”?
1. Allah Did Not Force Iblis to Disobey
- Iblis was given free will, just like humans.
- Allah did not make him disobey, rather, Allah’s command revealed the arrogance that already existed in Iblis.
- Iblis had the choice to obey or reject Allah’s command, and he chose arrogance.
📖Surah Al-Kahf 18:50
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord…”
🔹 Allah did not create Iblis as evil—Iblis made himself evil by his own choice.
2. Iblis Blamed Allah Instead of Taking Responsibility
- Iblis shifted the blame to Allah instead of admitting his own mistake.
- Satan’s words “You have put me in error” reflect his arrogance, not the truth.
- Example: If a teacher gives two students a test, and one fails, is it the teacher’s fault? No—the student made the wrong choice.📖Surah Al-A’raf 7:16-17
“[Iblis] said, ‘Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful.'”
🔹 Instead of repenting, Iblis declared war on humans.
3. Contrast Between Iblis and Adam
- Adam (AS) also made a mistake, but he repented.
- Iblis made a mistake, but he became arrogant.
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:37
“Then Adam received from his Lord words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
🔹 Allah did not “put Iblis in error”—Iblis put himself in error through arrogance and refusal to repent.
4. Allah’s Justice: The Test of Free Will
- Allah created free will for both jinn and humans.
- Satan was given a chance to obey, but he refused.
- Allah does not force guidance or misguidance—He gives people and jinn the choice.
📖Surah Al-Qasas 28:56
“You surely cannot guide whoever you like ˹O Prophet˺, but it is Allah Who guides whoever He wills, and He knows best who are ˹fit to be˺ guided.”
- This verse emphasizes that ultimate guidance (Hidayah) is in the hands of Allah alone. Even though the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) conveyed the message with wisdom and sincerity, he could not force anyone to accept guidance—only those whom Allah wills to be guided will receive it.
Who Does Allah Guide?
📖Surah Ash-Shura 42:13
“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.”
- Allah guides those who sincerely seek Him with an open heart.
- Guidance is a two-way process—one must strive for truth, and Allah will open their hearts to it.
📖Surah Az-Zumar 39:7
“If you disbelieve—indeed, Allah is free from need of you. But He does not approve of disbelief for His servants…”
- Allah Gives Everyone a Chance to Choose
Who Does Not Receive Guidance?
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:6-7
“Indeed, those who disbelieve—it is the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them—they will not believe. Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.”
- Those who reject the truth out of arrogance or stubbornness will not be guided.
- Allah does not force guidance upon those who turn away.