What does Islam say about a dream of rats? - briefly
In Islamic dream interpretation, rats are viewed as a negative sign, symbolizing loss, illness, or deceit. Scholars recommend praying for protection and guidance to counteract the adverse implications.
What does Islam say about a dream of rats? - in detail
Islamic scholars treat the appearance of rats in a dream as a symbol with specific meanings derived from prophetic traditions and classical tafsīr works. The rat is generally linked to impurity, loss, and hidden danger. When the creature is seen alive, it commonly signifies a threat to personal wealth or reputation, often caused by deceitful individuals or secret enemies. If the rat is dead or killed, the dream indicates the removal of that danger and the restoration of security.
Key interpretations include:
- Alive rat – warning of financial loss, gossip, or betrayal; may suggest the dreamer’s environment contains harmful influences.
- Rat entering the house – indicates an intrusion of sin or moral corruption; the house represents the self, so the presence of a pest suggests internal spiritual contamination.
- Rat biting – reflects personal injury, illness, or psychological distress caused by a hostile party.
- Killing the rat – marks triumph over the adversary, recovery of assets, or successful cleansing of sinful habits.
- Seeing many rats – amplifies the severity of the threat, pointing to widespread deceit or a community-wide problem.
The source for these readings is primarily the collection of dream interpretations (taʾbīr al‑ruʾyā) compiled by Ibn Sirīn, Al‑Ghazzālī, and later scholars such as Al‑Mug̱hīrī. Their methodology relies on the principle that animals in dreams reflect qualities associated with the animal in reality; rats, being carriers of disease and symbols of filth, convey negative connotations.
In practice, scholars advise the dreamer to seek protection through prayer (duʿā) and recitation of verses that counter impurity, such as Surah Al‑Falaq and Surah An‑Nas. Performing ablution (wudu) and maintaining cleanliness of the living space are recommended to symbolically eliminate the source of the pest. If the dreamer identifies a specific individual causing harm, the appropriate Islamic response involves seeking justice through lawful means while avoiding retaliation that breaches ethical conduct.
Overall, the dream of a rat serves as an admonition to examine one's surroundings, rectify moral lapses, and take preventive measures against hidden threats.