Writing in a Dream — Islamic Interpretation

In short

In Islamic dream interpretation, writing in a dream, on Ibn Sirin and Al-Nabulsi's reading, is a multiply-faced symbol: a covenant the dreamer ratifies, knowledge he transmits to people, or an affair he traces for himself which then settles upon him, according to Al-Nabulsi and Ibn Sirin. The reading skews favourable, with the precise meaning hinging on the symbol's colour, motion, and the dreamer's state.

Qurʾanic & Hadith References

"Who taught by the pen — taught man that which he did not know."

Surah al-ʿAlaq 96:4

This verse, from the first of what was revealed of the Qur'an to the Prophet (peace be upon him), makes the pen and writing the two instruments of Allah's teaching of man. Upon this the interpreters built that writing in a dream signifies a covenant being ratified, knowledge taking effect upon the dreamer, or an affair the dreamer traces for himself which then settles upon him. One who sees himself writing a sound script — its letters clear and upright — has had Allah write for him in the affair he is entering a good that endures.

Symbolic Meaning

Writing in a dream, on Ibn Sirin and Al-Nabulsi's reading, is a multiply-faced symbol: a covenant the dreamer ratifies, knowledge he transmits to people, or an affair he traces for himself which then settles upon him. The Qur'anic foundation is the saying of Allah Most High in the first revealed of the Qur'an — "Read in the name of your Lord who created... Who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know" (Qur'an 96:1-5); Allah made the pen the instrument of man's teaching. Upon this the writer is interpreted as the man of knowledge, writing as beneficial knowledge, and what is written of covenants in a dream as that to which the dreamer binds himself in his waking life.

Spiritual Dimension

According to Ibn Sirin: Writing in a dream signifies a covenant being ratified or knowledge taking effect over the dreamer; one who sees himself writing a sound script — its letters clear and upright — has had Allah write for him in the affair he is entering a good that endures — grounded in the first that Allah sent down of the Qur'an: "Who taught by the pen."

Warning Signs

According to Al-Nabulsi: Writing with crooked letters, or with the left hand, or upon torn paper, signifies a covenant being broken, or an affair the dreamer enters by way of an unsound path; one who writes a script and then erases it has regretted a covenant he had given.

Where Scholars Disagreed

These are matters on which the scholars read the symbol differently; both readings are presented with full attribution so the reader can weigh context.

In general

Ibn Sirin — Writing in a dream signifies a covenant being ratified or knowledge taking effect over the dreamer; one who sees himself writing a sound script — its letters clear and upright — has had Allah write for him in the affair he is entering a good that endures — grounded in the first that Allah sent down of the Qur'an: "Who taught by the pen."

Al-Nabulsi — Writing with crooked letters, or with the left hand, or upon torn paper, signifies a covenant being broken, or an affair the dreamer enters by way of an unsound path; one who writes a script and then erases it has regretted a covenant he had given.

How the Scholars Approached This Symbol

Al-Nabulsi

Al-Nābulsī combines Ibn Sirin's narrative method with the Ṣūfī method of ishārah (symbolic indication). He arranges symbols lexically, citing the views of earlier scholars before adding a Ṣūfī consideration or subtle note. He gives greater weight to the dreamer's state, intention, and the setting of the dream.

Ibn Sirin

Ibn Sirin's method links symbols first to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Arabic language; then to proverbs and poetry; then to the dreamer's state. He delivers brief, source-anchored readings and insists that a dream varies from one person to another according to circumstance and time.

Practical Response — What to Do After Such a Dream

When a dream of Writing admits more than one reading, the believer is advised to be patient and to seek istikhāra before acting on it:

The dreamer should not rush to a single interpretation but gather the indicators: his own state, the state of his family, the time, the setting of the dream, and the degree of clarity. Interpretation is the child of context, as the masters of taʿbīr have said.
It is recommended to consult people of knowledge and experience in dream interpretation. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not relate a dream except to a scholar or a sincere counsellor." Hastening to an unverified interpreter can cause confusion that was not needed.
The servant should pray ṣalāt al-istikhāra in any matter of consequence, and not tie his decision to a dream alone. Istikhāra is an established sunnah for whoever seeks the good of Allah in his affair.
The servant should maintain remembrance of Allah and seek His forgiveness — this clarifies the heart and shows the dreamer what is true. Ibn Sirin said: "The most truthful of you in your dreams is the most truthful of you in your speech."

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Writing mean in a dream according to Islam?

What does Islamic tradition say about dreaming of Writing?

Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen interpret a dream of Writing within the Islamic tradition, anchored in the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the dreamer's state.

Is dreaming of Writing a good or a bad sign?

The reading of Writing holds several possibilities depending on the dreamer and the context of the dream.

Does the meaning of Writing change with the mood of the dream?

Yes — the reading shifts with the qualities of the dream: the symbol's condition, its colour, and its motion are all clues a competent interpreter uses.

How should one respond after dreaming of Writing?

The believer is encouraged after a dream to praise God if it was good, to seek refuge from its evil and tell no one if it was disliked, and to pray the istikhāra prayer when facing an important matter.

Did the scholars of Islamic dream interpretation disagree about Writing?

Yes — the scholars differed in certain situations. See the "Where Scholars Disagreed" section above for both readings with full attribution.

Where can I find the original sources for the Writing interpretation?

The primary sources are: Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām by Ibn Sirin, Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām by Al-Nabulsi, and al-Ishārāt fī ʿIlm al-ʿIbārāt by Ibn Shaheen. A complete bibliography appears in the "References & Sources" section at the foot of this page.

What are the favourable meanings of seeing Writing in a dream?

Writing in a dream signifies a covenant being ratified or knowledge taking effect over the dreamer; one who sees himself writing a sound script — its letters clear and upright — has had Allah write for him in the affair he is entering a good that endures — grounded in the first that Allah sent down of the Qur'an: "Who taught by the pen."

What are the warning signs of dreaming about Writing?

Writing with crooked letters, or with the left hand, or upon torn paper, signifies a covenant being broken, or an affair the dreamer enters by way of an unsound path; one who writes a script and then erases it has regretted a covenant he had given.

How do the scholars of Islamic dream interpretation interpret a dream about Writing?

This symbol is treated by Al-Nabulsi and Ibn Sirin, who set out its rulings and the gradations of its interpretation in the works cited in the References section at the foot of this page.

Is there a Qurʾanic or hadith reference for the interpretation of Writing?

Yes — Surah al-ʿAlaq 96:4: "Who taught by the pen — taught man that which he did not know."

Dreams often seen together

Symbols frequently paired with Writing in the dream-interpretation literature. Open each symbol's own page for its standalone interpretation.

Writing + Pen
Writing + Book
Writing + Prayer

References & Sources

ʿAbd al-Ghanī ibn Ismāʿīl al-Nābulsī (1050 AH / 1641 CE — 1143 AH / 1731 CE, Damascus). Taʿṭīr al-Anām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām.
Short biography & methodology
A great Ṣūfī scholar and Ḥanafī jurist, one of the foremost figures of Damascus in the 11th century AH. He combined jurisprudence, Sufism, and the literary sciences and authored some two hundred works. His book on dream interpretation is an encyclopaedic reference that collects the citations of his predecessors and adds his own Ṣūfī insights.
Al-Nābulsī combines Ibn Sirin's narrative method with the Ṣūfī method of ishārah (symbolic indication). He arranges symbols lexically, citing the views of earlier scholars before adding a Ṣūfī consideration or subtle note. He gives greater weight to the dreamer's state, intention, and the setting of the dream.
Muḥammad ibn Sīrīn al-Baṣrī, Abū Bakr (33 AH / 654 CE — 110 AH / 728 CE, Basra). Muntakhab al-Kalām fī Tafsīr al-Aḥlām (Taʿṭīr al-Anām is also attributed to him).
Short biography & methodology
A noble tābiʿī and reliable scholar among the imams of Basra. He was raised in the household of Anas ibn Mālik, the Prophet's ﷺ servant, and took knowledge from a number of the Companions. Renowned for his scrupulousness and command of hadith, he became the reference point for dream interpretation in the Islamic tradition.
Ibn Sirin's method links symbols first to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the Arabic language; then to proverbs and poetry; then to the dreamer's state. He delivers brief, source-anchored readings and insists that a dream varies from one person to another according to circumstance and time.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-24 — editorial review against the primary sources of Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen.