The Life of Imam Ibn Seerin: The Master of Islamic Dream Interpretation

When we talk about dreams in Islam, one name comes up more than any other: Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin. While many people know him for his ability to interpret dreams, few know the beautiful details of his life, his character, and his deep devotion to God.

Who was this great man, and why is he still respected centuries later? Let’s explore the life of this legendary scholar.

A Scholar from the Golden Age

Muhammad Ibn Seerin Al-Basri was born in the city of Basra, Iraq, in the year 33 A.H. (653 A.D.). He lived during a very special time in history—the first century of the Islamic Caliphate.

This gave him the unique opportunity to study under the "Tabi'in" (the generation that followed the Companions of the Prophet). He learned Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and the sayings of the Prophet (Hadith) from great teachers like Anas Bin Malik.

His contemporaries, including the famous Al-Hassan Al-Basri, held him in high regard. It was said that no one was wiser or more pious in their knowledge than Ibn Seerin.

His Golden Rule on Dreams

Because this is a dream interpretation website, you might be wondering: What was his secret to understanding dreams?

Interestingly, Imam Ibn Seerin did not encourage people to obsess over their dreams. When a man once asked him for an interpretation, Ibn Seerin gave this powerful advice:

"Fear God when you are awake, and do not worry about what you see in a dream."

He believed that if a person lived a righteous life during the day, bad dreams could not harm them. He also warned that dream interpretation is part of religion, saying, "Consider carefully from whom you learn it!"

A Life of Balance and Devotion

Imam Ibn Seerin was not just a scholar; he was a man of action and deep spirituality.

• Fasting: He used to fast every other day. On days he did not fast, he ate lightly.
• Night Prayers: During Ramadan, he would stand in prayer all night. Even outside of Ramadan, his nights were filled with weeping in prayer.
• Cheerfulness: Despite his intense worship at night, he was known to be a cheerful and generous host during the day. As his friend Hisham Bin Hassan noted, "I used to hear his weeping during the night, though he was a most cheerful host during the day."

His Incredible Respect for His Mother

One of the most touching aspects of Ibn Seerin’s life was his relationship with his mother. He treated her with such immense respect that people sometimes thought he was sick when he was around her because his voice became so low and humble.

His sister, Hafsa, described it best:

"When Muhammad entered before our mother, he used to stand before her with modesty and refrain from speaking to her with his whole tongue."

He was so gentle in her presence that he would nearly "melt away" out of reverence for her.

Honesty Above All Else

Imam Ibn Seerin was famous for his integrity. He was terrified of earning money that wasn't 100% lawful (Halal).

• Refusing Wealth: He once refused a gift of 40,000 Dirhams because he had a small doubt about where the money came from.
• Avoiding Debt: Even on his deathbed, his main concern was paying back what he owed. He told his son, "Pay my debts. Pay only what I owe to people."
• Humility: He often refused to lead the prayer at gatherings. He famously said, "I did not want the people to say: 'Ibn Seerin led us in prayers tonight.'" He did not want fame or praise.

The Legacy of Ibn Seerin

Imam Ibn Seerin passed away in Basra in the year 110 A.H. (729 A.D.) at the age of seventy-six.

He left behind a legacy not just of dream interpretation, but of how to live a life of piety, honesty, and kindness. He taught us that the best way to have good dreams is to be a good person while we are awake.