Numbers in a dream: meaning in al-Nabulsi, Ibn Shahin and the hadith

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

Freud and Jung, a separate view

Moreover, numbers in dreams are regarded as of especial significance by superstition.

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

My host, a policeman in the municipal service, dreamed that he was standing at his post in the street, which was a wish-realisation.

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

The figures in the dream become important if it be remembered that time is money. One year equals 365 days, or, expressed in kreuzers, 365 kreuzers, which is three florins sixty-five kreuzers.

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, On Dreams

Now, this is what the dream refers to, for a year is equal to 365 days; the three weeks that remain before the close of the school year and of the treatment are equivalent to 21 days (though the hours of treatment are not as many as that).

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

The inspector then came over to him, having on his gorget the numbers 22 and 62 or 26—at all events there were many two’s on it.

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

The twenty-one kreuzers correspond with the three weeks which remained from the day of the dream to the end of the school term, and thus to the end of the treatment.

Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams / On Dreams / Dream Psychology, On Dreams

Kinds and conditions of Numbers

counting / numbers

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

As for counting, its interpretation varies according to what is counted. If he sees that he is counting dirhams upon which is the name of Allah the Exalted, then he will gain knowledge.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 78

And if upon them there is an engraved image, then he will occupy himself with falsehood in this world.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 78

large numbers (crowds)

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

Whoever sees in a dream a great crowding and press of people, then his troops will increase, his rank and authority will grow great, and his name will be raised high.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 297

And if he is a merchant, those who deal with him will increase.

Ta'tir al-Anam fi Ta'bir al-Manam, p. 297

nights of number (many nights)

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

His statement: "the nights of number" (al-layali dhawat al-'adad). Al-Kirmani said: It may imply a large number, since what is numerous requires counting, and that is what suits the context.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7342–7343

I say: As for its suiting the context, that is granted; but as for the first point, no, because their custom ran that what is abundant is weighed and what is little is counted. Shaykh Abu Muhammad ibn Abi Jamrah asserted definitively that what is meant by it is abundance, because number is of two kinds, so when it is used absolutely, what is intended by it is the totality of paucity and abundance — as though she said "many nights," that is, the totality of the two kinds of number.

Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dream Interpretation, pp. 7342–7343

the number one hundred

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

As for one hundred, it is victory over enemies and the attainment of a wish, because of His saying, exalted be He: "a hundred will overcome two hundred." And it indicates fornication, because of His saying, exalted be He: "then flog each one of them a hundred lashes."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

And whoever sees that a hundred grains were tied up for him, then it is good, blessing, and livelihood, because of His saying, exalted be He: "in every ear a hundred grains." And it is said: he will be put in charge of a group of people.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number ninety-nine

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

the people of governance, that will be obtained for him, because of His words, the Exalted: "ninety-nine ewes"; and it is said: straitness and hardship.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number two hundred

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

As for two hundred, it is a failure to triumph over the enemy, because of His saying, exalted be He: "they will overcome two hundred".

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number three hundred

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

As for three hundred, it signifies the attainment of an aim after a lengthy period, on account of His words, exalted be He: "And they remained in their cave three hundred years."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number four hundred

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

As for four hundred, it is victory over enemies, because of the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "The best of raiding parties is four hundred, and the best of armies is four thousand."

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number five hundred

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

As for five hundred, it signifies the suspension of affairs.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number six hundred

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

As for six hundred, it is joy and the attainment of what he desires.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number seven hundred

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

As for seven hundred, it is the difficulty of affairs, but at the end of his life good will come to him.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

the number eight hundred

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

As for eight hundred, it indicates the attainment of victory and strength.

al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat, p. 79

Also in the sources

the number nine hundred · the number one thousand · the number two thousand · the number three thousand · the number four thousand · the number five thousand · the number six thousand · the number seven thousand · the number eight thousand · the number nine thousand · the number ten thousand · the number twenty thousand · the number thirty thousand · the number forty thousand · the number fifty thousand · the number sixty thousand · the number eighty thousand · the number ninety thousand · the number one hundred thousand · large numbers of people · the number one

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