Islamic Dream Interpretation Meaning of Long Hair, Hair Loss, and Hair Locks in Dreams
Interpretation of Hair in Dreams:
Seeing dishevelled hair in a dream is a sign of illness. A man once told Sheikh Shihab al-Din Qarafi, “I saw in a dream that a long and wild hair has grown on my head.” He replied, “You will suffer from trembling disease.” Another man narrated, “I dreamt that many hairs were coming out of my mouth and people were collecting them.” Sheikh Qarafi responded, “You will become a poet.”
Someone else said, “I dreamt of prostrating to a hair that kept changing colours.” Sheikh Qarafi said, “You worship a star that sailors call ‘She’rah (hair).” A woman once said, “I dreamt of a hair above me, carrying me as it flew.” Sheikh Qarafi interpreted, “You will marry a Bedouin who lives in a tent made of hair.” All these interpretations proved true.
If someone sees long and beautiful hair in a dream, it signifies benefits, comfort, and wealth. It is also an indicator of agricultural prosperity. For a single person, it signifies marriage. Imam Qarafi said, “Hair signifies benefits because people admire it greatly.” Hair can also symbolize wealth, as the value of slaves and servants often depends on their hair.
Interpretation of Hair Locks:
A lock of hair seen in a dream represents virtuous offspring or a beautiful servant for men. For women, it signifies a son or a leader.
If a wealthy person sees locks of hair, it symbolizes an abundance of wealth. For a poor person, it indicates mounting debts.
If someone dreams that their locks have grown long and reach their eyes, it symbolizes misfortune and trouble. Shaving or shortening locks during Hajj days signifies safety and repayment of debts. However, if done outside Hajj days, it indicates grief and poverty for those to whom locks are unsuitable. For a sick person for whom locks are appropriate, it signifies recovery.
If a woman dreams of her head being shaved, it symbolizes the death of her husband or the loss of her wealth. If her husband is alive, he may seize her wealth, and she may be restricted from leaving her home, much like a bird whose wings have been clipped. It may also indicate a violation of her honour.
Interpretation of Hair Falling or Being Disheveled:
If someone dreams of dishevelled hair on their forehead, it indicates sudden calamity. Dishevelled hair at the temples signifies disgrace. Dishevelled hair on the right or left side signifies tribulation or trials caused by relatives.
If someone dreams of hair falling while combing, it indicates separation from their wife. Allah says in the Quran:
“فَإِمْسَاكٌ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ تَسْرِيحٌ بِإِحْسَانٍ” (البقرة :229)
“Either retain them with kindness or release them with good conduct.”
If someone dreams of an abundance of lice, nits, and dirt in their hair, it signifies distress and a large number of dependents. This is because lice, nits, and dirt harm a person. Sometimes, lice and nits in a dream indicate family disputes because dependents have endless needs, consuming one’s resources. Dirt in the hair symbolizes a lack of faith and decline.
If a king dreams of removing lice from his head, it signifies that he will exile troublemakers from his land. If a merchant sees this dream, it symbolizes flourishing trade and profit. If a farmer dreams of it, it indicates that harmful pests will be eradicated from his crops.
One man dreamt of killing lice from his head. Sheikh Qarafi said, “You will kill some miscreants, possibly in a lush, green place.” Another man narrated the same dream to Qarafi, who interpreted it, “A group of miscreants will attack you, and you will repel them.”
(Al-Martabah Al-Ulya fi Ta’bir al-Ru’ya – Imam Muhammad bin Rashid, d. 736 AH)