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

189 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

It in a dream is the innate nature of Islam, and it is lawful wealth without toil.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

Curdled milk is unlawful wealth, because of its sourness and the loss of its fat.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

(And whoever sees) a person, whether a man or a woman, with milk in his breast, then he will amass wealth.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

And if he sees that the two breasts are flowing with milk, then the world will flow abundantly upon him.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

And if a woman sees milk in her breast while she has no milk when awake, or that she is suckling a child, or a man, or a woman, then the doors of the world will be shut upon the nursing woman and the one nursed; and human milk is imprisonment and straitness for the nurse and the nursed.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

And if he sees that he has bought a wet nurse to suckle his child, then he will raise his child according to his own character.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, pp. 303–304

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

Daniel said: Milk, whenever it is sweet and fresh, is better, because when it is fresh and sweet it indicates an increase in wealth and religion; and if it is sour it indicates a decrease in wealth and religion in proportion to what he ate of it.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 245

A rare account: 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: "While I was sleeping, I was brought a cup of milk and I drank from it until I could see the moisture flowing from my fingernails. Then I gave the remainder of it to 'Umar." He said: What did you interpret it as, O Messenger of Allah? He said: "Knowledge."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 259

A rare account: A man came to Ibn Sirin and said: I saw a woman among my relatives with a vessel of milk before her; every time she raised it to her mouth to drink from it, the urge to urinate hastened her, so she would set it down. He said: This woman is righteous, so go and marry her. And he did so.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 263–264

A rare case: A man came to Ibn Sirin and said: I saw honey of milk brought and set down, then more honey was brought and put into it, and it accommodated it, and froth was poured over it, and I and my companions began to eat of that froth. Then it turned into the head of a camel, and we began to eat of it as well. Ibn Sirin said: Evil is what you have seen for yourself and your companions. As for the milk, it is the primordial nature (fitrah); as for that which was poured into it and it accommodated it, it is what has entered into the fitrah of things [that do not belong]; as for your eating its froth, it goes away as scum and you gain no benefit from it, because of His saying, Exalted is He: "As for the froth, it goes away as scum." As for the camel, it is a bedouin Arab, and its head is interpreted as the chief of the Arabs, who is the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, and you are backbiting him; and the honey is something with which you adorn your speech.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, pp. 264–265

Whoever sees that the milk has become fresh cheese and he is eating from it, then it indicates the obtaining of lawful wealth and ampleness of provision.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 245

A woman's pouring milk over a person is interpreted as imprisonment.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 245

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

It is reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: Whoever sees that he is drinking milk, that is the primordial nature (al-fitrah).

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

(Abu Sa'id said) Seeing milk in the breasts, for men and women, is wealth, and the flowing of milk from them is abundance of wealth.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

If a woman who has no milk when awake sees that she is suckling a child, or a man, or a woman whom she knows, then the doors of the world will close upon her and upon them.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And some of them said: Whoever sees as though he suckled from a woman will attain wealth and profit.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And whoever sees as though he is drinking the milk of a horse or a mare, the sultan will love him and he will attain good from him.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And the milk of livestock is lawful wealth from the sultan.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

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

Al-Muhallab said: It indicates the primordial nature (fitrah), the Sunnah, the Quran, and knowledge.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7380–7381

"While I was asleep, I was brought a cup of milk and I drank from it until I saw the satiation coming out from my extremities. Then I gave what was left over to Umar ibn al-Khattab." Those around him said: "And how did you interpret that, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Knowledge."

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7381–7382

Milk in a dream is the primordial nature (al-fitrah).

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

"And how did you interpret it, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Knowledge."

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, p. 7404

While I was sleeping, I was brought a cup of milk and I drank from it, then I gave what was left over to Umar ibn al-Khattab. They said: And how did you interpret it, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Knowledge.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, p. 7407

Milk in a dream is the primordial nature (fitrah).

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7380–7381

Kinds and conditions of Milk

milk in the breasts

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

But to seem in a dreame to have milk in her dugs, to a yong woman it signifies she shal conceive, and her fruit shall come to perfection.

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

To an old woman being poor it signifieth riches, being rich, expence, and liberality.

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

butterfat (ghee/clarified butter from milk)

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

It in a dream is beneficial knowledge and pure monotheism free of doubt.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 174

And butterfat may indicate the woman who inclines toward one when companionship is prolonged.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 174

river whose water is like pure milk

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

His statement: "So fall into that river" — in the form of an imperative verb meaning to fall in, and what is meant is that they immerse themselves in it so that that attribute may be washed away by this special water.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7430–7432

He said: It is possible that what is meant by the aforementioned water is Allah's pardon of them, or their repentance, as in the hadith: "Wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail."

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7430–7432

spilled cup of milk

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

And it is related from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that while he was encamped at al-Ta'if he saw as though a cup of milk was brought and placed before him, and the cup was spilled. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) interpreted it and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I do not think you will obtain anything from al-Ta'if in this year of yours." He said: "Indeed, I have not been given permission concerning it." Then he (peace be upon him) departed.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

A man came to Ibn Sirin and said: "I saw a large bowl of milk brought and set down, then another bowl was brought and poured into it, and it held it; and my companions and I began to eat of its froth. Then it turned into the head of a camel and we began to eat it with honey." He said: As for the milk, it is the primordial nature (fitrah); and as for what was poured into it and it held it, that is something that has entered into the fitrah; and as for your eating of its froth, that is the saying of the Exalted: "As for the scum, it goes away as worthless froth." And as for the camel, it is an Arab man, and there is nothing in the camel greater than its head, and the head of the Arabs is the Commander of the Faithful — and you are backbiting him and eating of his flesh. And as for the honey, it is something with which you adorn your speech. And that was in the time of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him).

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

milk pail (milking vessel)

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

Seeing it in a dream indicates provision, benefit, good management, and gentleness of speech.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 91

And the milker of cows is a man who demands money from the workers.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 91

giving one's surplus milk to another

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

As for his giving his surplus to 'Umar, it contains an indication of what 'Umar attained of knowledge of Allah, such that no blame of any blamer would deter him in the cause of Allah.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7380–7381

So the benefit of this dream was making known the measure of the proportion between what he was given of knowledge and what 'Umar was given.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7380–7381

milk of a milch camel

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

The milk of a milch camel is the natural disposition (fitrah) in religion. So whoever drinks of it, or sucks a suck or two or three, then he is upon the fitrah: he prays, fasts, and pays zakat. And for the one who drinks it, it is lawful wealth, knowledge, and wisdom.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And it is said: whoever milks a she-camel and drinks her milk, this indicates that he will marry a righteous woman; and if the dreamer is of concealed state (chaste/veiled), a boy will be born to him in whom there is blessing for him.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

cow's milk

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

Cow's milk is the fertility of the year, lawful wealth, and attainment of the natural, innate disposition (fitrah).

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And it is said: if the one who had the dream is a slave, he will be freed; and if he is poor, he will become rich.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

milk coming out of the earth

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

The appearance of milk from the earth and its coming out of it is an indication of the appearance of injustice.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And milks: through them one attains one's wish from where he does not reckon.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

snake's milk

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

And the milk of biting and stinging creatures is the setting right of what is between him and his enemies.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

And whoever drinks from the milk of a snake, then he will do a deed with which Allah is pleased. And it is said: whoever drinks it will attain relief and be saved from calamities.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 177–180

milk offered (she-camel's milk)

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

"What do you do?" He said: "I am with my master in the shop." So he said: "Fear Allah concerning your master's property."

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 181–184

And 'Adi ibn Arta'a saw a she-camel that had recently given birth pass by him while he was at the door of his house, and its milk was offered to him but he did not accept it; then it was offered to him a second time and he did not accept it; then it was offered to him another time and he accepted it. So Ibn Sirin said: It is a bribe which he did not accept, then he went back and accepted it and took it.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 181–184

milk in the breast

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

And whoever sees milk in his breast, then it is an increase in his worldly fortune.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 759–762

And whoever sees that his wife has milk, the woman will never give birth; but if she has a child, he will become the master of his household.

Muntakhab al-Kalam fi Tafsir al-Ahlam, pp. 759–762

Also in the sources

sour milk dish (qaralnasa) · milk gatherer · iron bridge over a sea of milk · sheep's and goat's milk · lion's milk · dog's milk · wolf's milk · pig's milk · leopard's milk · gazelle's milk · donkey's milk · milk of wild beasts · buffalo's milk · bear's milk · fox's milk · cat's milk · mare's milk · she-ass's milk · curdled milk · madirah (milk stew) · clarified/pure milk · milk skin · Colostrum (first milk)

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