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

119 passages from 5 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

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

In a dream it is wealth and strength for whoever sees it in his hand, and honour after weakness if they take hold of it and see it.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

(So whoever sees) that he is eating iron, then he will triumph wherever he may be.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

And if he eats it along with bread, then he will manage with difficulty and endure hardship on account of his livelihood.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

And if he chews it with his teeth, then it is backbiting and harm to a people who possess might and strength.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

(And whoever sees) that he came upon iron gathered together, or lead, or brass, then he will obtain good from the goods of this world and strength for what he wants from a woman.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

(And whoever sees) that iron became soft for him, then he will attain kingship and abundant provision.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 86

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

Ibn Sirin was asked about the dream of iron, and he said: As for iron, what is wrought of it is a servant, and what is unwrought of it is worldly goods to that measure, and length of life.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

Whoever sees that he is digging for iron or extracting it from stone, then hardship will befall him, on account of Allah's saying: "Say: Be you stones or iron" — the verse.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

Whoever sees that he is melting iron, then he will backbite people and speak foul speech.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

Al-Kirmani said: Whoever sees that he has obtained iron gathered together, then he will obtain good from the goods of this world and strength for what he desires, on account of Allah's saying: "And We sent down iron, in which there is great might."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

Whoever sees that iron has become soft for him, then he will attain kingship and ample provision, on account of Allah's saying: "And We made iron soft for him: Make coats of mail" — the verse.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

Whoever sees that he is welding iron together, then he will do a deed for which he will be remembered, on account of Allah's saying: "until, when he had made it fire" — the verse. And it is said: seeing the smelting of iron is interpreted as his falling upon people's tongues and their backbiting him because of a benefit that accrues to him.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 183

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

(Iron) Allah the Exalted said: "And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for the people." Iron is wealth, strength, and might. Eating it with bread is flattery and endurance for the sake of one's livelihood, and chewing it is backbiting. Iron is victory.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 570–574

And whoever sees that his house is of iron, or his garment, or his leg, or some of his limbs, that indicates the length of his life and his growth.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 756–759

(It is related) that a man came to Ja'far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, and said: I saw as though my Lord gave me iron and gave me a drink of strong vinegar. He said: You will teach your son the craft of David, peace be upon him; and the vinegar is lawful wealth in an illness in which your lying abed will be prolonged, and in which you will die having made a bequest.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 570–574

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

for when any one hath dreamt that he embraceth yron, it signifyeth that he shall be imprisoned, and live among yrons.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

The good Antipater to another which hath had the like dream, will interpret; that at a particular combat in a close field, he shall be condemned: or he shall kéep a Fencing Schoole, and live as it were among, and by yron; to wit, by the Exercise, and Art of Fencing, when one doth nothing but handle daggers, and swords of yron:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

to whom notwithstanding this falles not out, but he hath a Member cut off.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Fourth Booke of Artimedorus.

Kinds and conditions of Iron

fetters / leg-irons

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

(Abu Sa'id al-Wa'iz said): The fetter, in interpretation, is the steadfastness of the dreamer in a matter he is engaged in, whether of good or evil.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 84

And it is said: if the fetter is made of rope, then it is steadfastness in the matter of religion, according to His saying, may He be exalted: "And hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 84

iron brazier (kanun)

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

In a dream it is a woman from a household of people of might and strength.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 294

And if it is of brass, then from a household of people who possess the goods of this world and its adornment.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 294

iron collar / shackle

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

It is of various kinds. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I dislike the dream of the iron collar and I like the dream of the fetter." Whoever sees that he is collared, then he has either disbelieved in Allah or in His blessing, because of His saying, the Exalted: "Indeed, We have put iron collars upon their necks." And perhaps that indicates an evil end for him.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 83

...people; and if the collar is of silver, then he will meet with hardship from the side of women.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 84

iron collar / shackle on the neck

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation

And he used to dislike the iron collar in a dream, while the fetter pleased them, and he said: The fetter is steadfastness in religion.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7394–7395

As for the dislike of the iron collar, it is because its place is the necks, as an exemplary punishment, a penalty, a subjugation and a humiliation; and he may be dragged upon his face and fall upon the back of his neck. So it is blameworthy both in the Law and by custom.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, p. 7397

iron collar / manacle

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

As for the iron collar: whoever sees his hand shackled to his neck, then he will obtain wealth on which he does not pay its zakat.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 295–297

And it has been said that he is restrained from an act of disobedience.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 295–297

iron razor

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

In a dream it is a male child, because it circumcises the child.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 330

And if something is cut with it, then it is the thwarting of a matter he is engaged in.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 330

working in iron

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

FOr to work in Iron, and strike upon the Anvile, signifieth noise and suits in law:

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

the like we must judge in all other arts of the persons which dreame them.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

fetter / leg-iron

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation

And the fetter pleases me, for the fetter is steadfastness in religion.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7395–7397

I like the fetter in a dream and I dislike the shackle; the fetter in a dream is steadfastness in religion.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7395–7397

iron arm-guards

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

The two arm-guards of iron are men of his relatives. So whoever is seen wearing two arm-guards, then he will be strengthened by the two hands of a man from among his relatives. And it is said that he will keep company with two strong, mighty men.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 281–285

And perhaps the interpretation falls upon his son or his brother.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 281–285

Inspector who probes loads (with an iron rod)

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

He is the one who probes the loads with the iron implement he carries. Seeing him in a dream indicates speaking against people's honour.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 71

And perhaps it indicates the spy.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 71

spear-butt (iron ferrule of a spear)

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

In a dream it signifies entering into matters whose way out is narrow.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 146

And perhaps it indicates death.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 146

being made of iron

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

To dreame that you are of Iron, foretelleth infinite miseries.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The first Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

Also in the sources

jaw torn with an iron hook · iron bridge over a sea of milk · iron collar · iron greaves · branding iron

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