Islamic Dream Interpretation of Horses, Mules, and Donkeys
Interpretation of Seeing a Horse in a Dream:
Whoever sees a horse or a mare in a dream, it signifies honor and elevation. In a Hadith, it is stated:
الْخَيْلُ مَعْقُودٌ فِي نَوَاصِيهَا الْخَيْرُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ
Goodness has been tied to the forelocks of horses until the Day of Judgment.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2849)
Seeing a horse in a dream also symbolizes a woman, a servant, or a maid. It is an indication of comfortable riding or ease.
The esteemed scholar Sheikh Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi states:
“Whoever sees a horse in a dream, their pending matters will be resolved. The same dream represents marriage and comfort for a rider. If the rider is a woman, the interpretation remains the same because the burden is borne by someone else. In the case of marriage, the woman’s burden is carried by her husband.”
In my opinion, seeing a horse in a dream symbolizes a woman’s marriage only if the context involves travel or the traditional form of carriage or palanquin used by women.
Mule and Donkey in Dreams:
The reason for combining the interpretation of a mule and a donkey is that, in the context of dream interpretation, they are considered equivalent.
Sometimes, seeing a donkey in a dream symbolizes a mule or a very noisy child. According to dream interpreters, the donkey seen in a dream represents the human body.
The beauty and appearance of the mule or donkey in the dream indicate the beauty and appearance of the individual. A thin donkey signifies financial hardship, a black donkey represents leadership and joy, and a white donkey symbolizes beauty and piety.
The long tail of a donkey signifies the continuity of one’s authority or the prolonged survival of one’s family after them.
If someone sees in a dream that a donkey mates with them, it means they will attain goodness and prosperity. This is because when a person satisfies their desire with a woman, they say, “I have fulfilled my need with so-and-so.” Since intercourse (between the actor and receiver) signifies a form of goodness, it is considered a sign of blessings.
There is a story of the famous Umayyad Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan, who dreamt that a donkey mated with him, causing him severe distress. Shortly afterwards, he attained the caliphate.
If someone dreams of lifting a female donkey or mating with it, it signifies that they will overcome their current difficulties.
A man dreamt that he swallowed a donkey, and later the donkey’s owner retrieved it from his mouth. The esteemed scholar Sheikh Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi interpreted this dream as follows:
“You had stolen the saddle placed on the donkey’s back, and later, the donkey’s owner retrieved it from you.” The man confirmed the interpretation.
If someone dreams that their donkey transforms into a mule, it indicates they will travel and find sustenance. If the donkey transforms into a horse, it means they will gain sustenance from a king.
If someone dreams that they inherited a donkey, it signifies they will receive wealth from an unexpected source.
The death of a donkey in a dream indicates the death of its owner.
If an unknown donkey dies in a dream, it symbolizes the dreamer’s destruction or severe financial loss.
If someone dreams of dismounting from a donkey, the interpretation remains the same.
A person once dreamt of an unknown donkey being slaughtered and skinned. I interpreted it as the end of their glory and the loss of their position, which proved true.
If someone dreams they are unable to mount a donkey or are afraid of it, it suggests they will face obstacles in attaining everything they seek.
Riding on a donkey’s foal in a dream symbolizes trouble caused by one’s wife or son.
If someone dreams of holding a rebellious donkey’s foal, they will face distress because of their child.
If the foal is not rebellious, it indicates they will gain some worldly benefit after a delay.