Descending in a dream: meaning in Ibn Sirin, al-Nabulsi and Ibn Shahin

46 passages from 4 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulsi, Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam

Descending in a dream, from a height to below, is a person's parting from what he was in: a position, or a wife, or a religion, or a belief.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 351

And whoever sees in a dream that he descended from a mountain, then it is good.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 362

(And whoever sees) that he descended from a hill, or a mount, or a grave, or an elevated place, then the matter which he seeks becomes difficult for him in proportion to it.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 351

And perhaps descending indicates Allah's detestation of him, because of His words, Glorified be He: "And We said: Descend, some of you being enemies to others."

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 362

And descending from the sky after ascending it is humiliation after honour.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 362

And it is said that it is the attainment of the bounty of this world through leadership in religion.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 362

Ibn Shahin al-Zahiri, al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat

As for descending, discussion of it has already been given as well, when it is from the sky; and it may be the attainment of the bounty of this world along with leadership in religion, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) descended after he had ascended to it, and that did not diminish his honour — rather it increased his honour.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 76

And if he sees descending from other than that, there will come what indicates each thing in its own chapter and section.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 76

One of the interpreters said: I dislike descending, because I have tested it many times and have not found it praiseworthy; and it may be weakness and a decline from strength.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 76

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

Descending from the sky after having ascended it is humiliation after honour.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 722–726

And it is said: it is the attainment of worldly bounty together with leadership in religion.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 722–726

And if he sees himself descending from a mountain, he will attain relief.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 722–726

And it is said that it indicates a change of affairs and the difficulty of obtaining provisions.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 722–726

Kinds and conditions of Descending

descending stairs

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

or by issuing fatwas, or by preaching, or by giving the call to prayer from the minaret, or the like of such elevated, renowned matters

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

As for descending stairs: if he is a traveller, he will return from his journey.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 507–511

ascending and descending

attributed to Ibn Sirin, Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam

Every ascent that a person sees, whether upon a slope, a hill, a rooftop, or anything else, then it is the attainment of what he seeks, the fulfilment of the need he desires.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 479–482

Ascending on level ground is hardship, and there is no good in it.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 479–482

descending from a high place

Freud and Jung, a separate view

The main dream takes up the same thought, and presents it in a form that has been altered by the tendency to wish-fulfilment: “I am of exalted origin.”

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, The Interpretation of Dreams, ch. VI The Dream-Work

28 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.