Ibn Sirin
Encyclopedia
Muhammad Ibn Sirin(born in Basra
, Iraq
) was a Muslim
interpreter of dreams who lived in the 8th century. He is a contemporary of Anas ibn Malik
.
Muhammad's father (the name Abu Bakr was seldom used) was one of the many captives taken by the great Muslim warrior Khaled ibn Al-Walid when he embarked on his campaign to conquer Al-Sham (the area comprising Syria, Lebanon and Palestine), under the caliphate (rule) of Ómar ibn Al-Khattab (a.d. 583–684). He was a coppersmith from a town called Jirjaya, settled and working in a place called 'Ain Al-Tamr," where a decisive battle took place in Hijra (migration) year 12. Certain historians contend that it was Abu Bakr's mother, named Sireen, who had been taken captive. But, according The Encyclopedia of Islam (London; Leiden & E.J. Brill, 1971), vol.,3, p.947, Ibn Sirin's mother, Safiyya – a slave of the caliph Abu Bakr – was held in such esteem within the community that when she died, her laying-out was performed by three of Muhammad's wives and eighteen Badris (veterans of the battle of Badr), led by Ubayy ibn Ka'b, were present at her burial. 'Omar sent him as a present, either directly to Anas ibn Malek (one of the most authoritative sources on the life and opinions expressed by Muhammad) or first to a man called Talha Al-Bukhari (from Bukhara, Central Asia) who, in turn, gave him to Anas.
Sirin tried to convince Anas to set him free against a sum of money ("mukataba"). When the latter refused, Sirin complained to 'Omar, who ordered that his wish be granted for 40,000 dinars, to be paid in installments.
Muhammad worked as an ambulant cloth merchant, or peddler,in Al-Basra. The fact that he was deaf or quick-of-hearing did not prevent him from becoming one of the most fabulous storytellers of his time about Muhammad, quoting such prominent personalities as Abu Hurayrah, 'Abdullah ibn 'Omar, and Anas ibn Malek.
Known as Ibn Sirin, Muhammad was one of the first ascetics of Al-Basra. He became the prime imam in religion and an erudite in the Qur'an. He was described by one of his contemporaries (Abu Ná'eem) as wise, heeding God and perspicacious, sharing food with his brethren and travelers, strongly interceding in favor of the lonely and those who were punished for one reason or another. He was alert, cautious, honest and properly maintaining whatever was entrusted to him. He used to weep at night and smile and rove around all day. And he fasted every other day. No one was as religious or as knowledgeable as him in his art. His family was so generous that they would not hesitate to offer to their visitor the last loaf of bread in their house. He used to savor and recite poetry.
He was particularly renowned for his extraordinary skill in interpreting dreams as attested by the Arabs' greatest intellectuals, such as Al-Gaheth, Ibn Qutaybah and Ibn Khaldoun, who considered his work as crucial in this field.
. Ibn Al-Nadim says that he was the author of "Taabirul Ro'oya" (What Dreams Express), which is different from or an abridged version of : Muntakhabul Kalam Fi Tafsir El Ahlam"(A Concise Guide for the Interpretation of Dreams) first printed in Bulaq, Egypt, in 1284 H, in Lucknow in a.d. 1874 and in Bombay in 1296 H. It was subsequently reprinted numerous times in various parts of the Arab World under different titles.
But that book, allegedly written by Ibn Sirin, who died in 110H, comprises many discrepancies (anachronic passages). For instance, it tells a story about Imam Shafe'i who died in 204H. It also quotes Is'haq Ibrahim ibn 'Abdullah Al-Kirmani, who died in 400H.
Scholars are of the view that most if not all of the works related to Ibn Sirin might be apocryphal. They seem certain that at least one of them "Muntakhabul Kalam ..." is definitely non-genuine, for the simple reason that it relates those stories that happened long after Sirin's death as already stated. Nevertheless, they feel the books, which were probably written by another expert or by Ibn Sirin's students and/or admirers, still reflect his teachings. The major suspect is a Muslim preacher by the name of Abu Sa'id Al-Wa'ez, himself author of several books on Islamic oneiromancy.
What lends credence and adds weight to the theory according to which Ibn Sirin never wrote anything is the established fact that he abhorred books. He always relied on his excellent memory and was of the view that it is books that led to the perdition and doom of past generations. Whenever he wanted to memorize a "Hadith" (quotation of Muhammad), he wrote it down on a piece of paper which he destroyed as soon as he learned it by heart. One night, a friend begged him to keep in his house a book he was carrying, which he categorically refused by saying he had vowed that never "shall a book" spend a night at his home.Although he was known for correctly interpreting dreams, this book cannot be authentically traced back to him.
The rare second edition in Italian of his interpretation of Egyptian
and Persian
dreams was translated from Leo Toscano's Latin into Italian
by the famous cheiromantist Patricio Tricasso, who, in his foreword to Alessandro Bicharia, explains that he has omitted many of the original interpretations owing to many dreams being inspired either by melancholy or evil
spirits. The original Arabic
, Greek
and Leo Toscano's Latin texts seem not to have survived and this is the second of three Italian editions of the sixteenth century, the others appearing in 1525 and 1551.
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
) was a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
interpreter of dreams who lived in the 8th century. He is a contemporary of Anas ibn Malik
Anas ibn Malik
Anas bin Malik ibn Nadar al-Khazraji Al-Ansari was a well-known sahabi of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.He was an Ansar of the Banu Khazraj . He is not to be confused with Malik ibn Anas. Anas ibn Malik, the last of the Companions of the Prophet died at al-Basrah in 93 AH aged 103.-Muhammad's...
.
Biography
According to Yehia Gouda's most authoritative encyclopedic reference book on Muslim oneiromancy "Dreams and Their Meanings in the Old Arab Tradition" (ISBN 0-533-08877-1, published in 1991, now available through Alibris Books, Amazon.com and almost everywhere), the legendary abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Sirin Al-Ansari (33-110H; a.d. 653–728), was, indeed, born in Basra, as mentioned, in a.d. 653, i.e. the 33rd year after Muhammad's migration from Makkah to the then Yathrib, now Al-Madina. His birth came two years before the end of the rule of Caliph Óthman ibn Áffan.Muhammad's father (the name Abu Bakr was seldom used) was one of the many captives taken by the great Muslim warrior Khaled ibn Al-Walid when he embarked on his campaign to conquer Al-Sham (the area comprising Syria, Lebanon and Palestine), under the caliphate (rule) of Ómar ibn Al-Khattab (a.d. 583–684). He was a coppersmith from a town called Jirjaya, settled and working in a place called 'Ain Al-Tamr," where a decisive battle took place in Hijra (migration) year 12. Certain historians contend that it was Abu Bakr's mother, named Sireen, who had been taken captive. But, according The Encyclopedia of Islam (London; Leiden & E.J. Brill, 1971), vol.,3, p.947, Ibn Sirin's mother, Safiyya – a slave of the caliph Abu Bakr – was held in such esteem within the community that when she died, her laying-out was performed by three of Muhammad's wives and eighteen Badris (veterans of the battle of Badr), led by Ubayy ibn Ka'b, were present at her burial. 'Omar sent him as a present, either directly to Anas ibn Malek (one of the most authoritative sources on the life and opinions expressed by Muhammad) or first to a man called Talha Al-Bukhari (from Bukhara, Central Asia) who, in turn, gave him to Anas.
Sirin tried to convince Anas to set him free against a sum of money ("mukataba"). When the latter refused, Sirin complained to 'Omar, who ordered that his wish be granted for 40,000 dinars, to be paid in installments.
Muhammad worked as an ambulant cloth merchant, or peddler,in Al-Basra. The fact that he was deaf or quick-of-hearing did not prevent him from becoming one of the most fabulous storytellers of his time about Muhammad, quoting such prominent personalities as Abu Hurayrah, 'Abdullah ibn 'Omar, and Anas ibn Malek.
Known as Ibn Sirin, Muhammad was one of the first ascetics of Al-Basra. He became the prime imam in religion and an erudite in the Qur'an. He was described by one of his contemporaries (Abu Ná'eem) as wise, heeding God and perspicacious, sharing food with his brethren and travelers, strongly interceding in favor of the lonely and those who were punished for one reason or another. He was alert, cautious, honest and properly maintaining whatever was entrusted to him. He used to weep at night and smile and rove around all day. And he fasted every other day. No one was as religious or as knowledgeable as him in his art. His family was so generous that they would not hesitate to offer to their visitor the last loaf of bread in their house. He used to savor and recite poetry.
He was particularly renowned for his extraordinary skill in interpreting dreams as attested by the Arabs' greatest intellectuals, such as Al-Gaheth, Ibn Qutaybah and Ibn Khaldoun, who considered his work as crucial in this field.
Works
The most notable of the books attributed to him is Dreams and InterpretationsGreat Book of Interpretation of Dreams
The typology of categorization of dreams in Arabic literature of dream-interpretation is noted for it close adherence to orthodox theological categories, and assumes an intimate relationship between dreaming and conventional expressions of devotional religious piety...
. Ibn Al-Nadim says that he was the author of "Taabirul Ro'oya" (What Dreams Express), which is different from or an abridged version of : Muntakhabul Kalam Fi Tafsir El Ahlam"(A Concise Guide for the Interpretation of Dreams) first printed in Bulaq, Egypt, in 1284 H, in Lucknow in a.d. 1874 and in Bombay in 1296 H. It was subsequently reprinted numerous times in various parts of the Arab World under different titles.
But that book, allegedly written by Ibn Sirin, who died in 110H, comprises many discrepancies (anachronic passages). For instance, it tells a story about Imam Shafe'i who died in 204H. It also quotes Is'haq Ibrahim ibn 'Abdullah Al-Kirmani, who died in 400H.
Scholars are of the view that most if not all of the works related to Ibn Sirin might be apocryphal. They seem certain that at least one of them "Muntakhabul Kalam ..." is definitely non-genuine, for the simple reason that it relates those stories that happened long after Sirin's death as already stated. Nevertheless, they feel the books, which were probably written by another expert or by Ibn Sirin's students and/or admirers, still reflect his teachings. The major suspect is a Muslim preacher by the name of Abu Sa'id Al-Wa'ez, himself author of several books on Islamic oneiromancy.
What lends credence and adds weight to the theory according to which Ibn Sirin never wrote anything is the established fact that he abhorred books. He always relied on his excellent memory and was of the view that it is books that led to the perdition and doom of past generations. Whenever he wanted to memorize a "Hadith" (quotation of Muhammad), he wrote it down on a piece of paper which he destroyed as soon as he learned it by heart. One night, a friend begged him to keep in his house a book he was carrying, which he categorically refused by saying he had vowed that never "shall a book" spend a night at his home.Although he was known for correctly interpreting dreams, this book cannot be authentically traced back to him.
The rare second edition in Italian of his interpretation of Egyptian
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
dreams was translated from Leo Toscano's Latin into Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
by the famous cheiromantist Patricio Tricasso, who, in his foreword to Alessandro Bicharia, explains that he has omitted many of the original interpretations owing to many dreams being inspired either by melancholy or evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
spirits. The original Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and Leo Toscano's Latin texts seem not to have survived and this is the second of three Italian editions of the sixteenth century, the others appearing in 1525 and 1551.