News

Islamic militant jihadists are inspired by their dreams

(2 June 2011)

Dr Iain Edgar

Islamic militant jihadists use their dreams to legitimise their radical actions, according to a new book on dreams in Islam.

Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, such as Mullah Omar, claim their dreams to be revelations from beyond this world and giving authorisation for their actions in real life, according to the author of the book which is published in the UK on 1 July.

Dr Iain Edgar from Durham University will be debating the 'success' of Islam as a religion at the philosophy and music festival in Hay on Saturday 4 June alongside Muslim convert Lauren Booth and Director of the Ex-Muslim Council Maryam Namazie.

In Islam, dreams have always had a central inspirational role on followers, including Taliban leaders and their soldiers, according to Dr Edgar.

He explains: "Islam probably has the largest night dream culture in the world today.  People all across the Islamic world often rely on their dreams to give them guidance on major life choices such as finance and investment, whether to marry someone or accept a job.

"In the case of extremists, their dreams can be seen as giving inspiration and justification for fighting the perceived oppressors of Islam.

"For example, reports suggest Mullah Omar founded the Taliban movement following a commandment from a sacred figure in a dream.  Ahead of 9/11, Mullah Omar also told a journalist about his brother's dream of a white palace catching fire and asking the journalist about the construction of the US White House, saying he believed in dreams.

"Dreams can not only legitimise jihadist actions for the dreamers themselves but also for their followers.  In the case of Omar, his followers trust him partly because of his reputation for holy dreaming and specifically for his reported strategic guidance received through dreams."

Dr Edgar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at Durham University, analysed dream accounts from newspaper articles, trial transcripts and books as well as through extensive fieldwork in the UK, Northern Cyprus, Pakistan, Bosnia, Turkey and the US.

His book, called 'The Dream in Islam' published by Berghahn Books, is the first overview of historical and contemporary aspects of true dream tradition in Islam, an area which is relatively unknown in the west.  It outlines how dreams in Islam are a way to supernatural and divine knowledge, a practical alternative for seeking guidance, and a way to offer clarity about actions to take.

Dr Edgar said: "In Islam, the world of dreams and reality are closely linked and some dreams are considered to be more real than normal daytime experiences.  Dreams can also be early warning signals of future unwelcome events and those dreams are interpreted to try and avoid the danger.

"Dream interpretation in Islam is extremely sophisticated and takes into account factors that include the piety and spiritual rank of the dreamer, their social position, the time of night, and the time of year of the dream. However, the role of sacred figures is crucial in all dreams and dream visions can connect people with the sacred past of the Prophet Mohammed.

"Islamic dream interpretation is based as much on the Prophet Mohammed's example as it is on earlier Middle Eastern dream traditions. Across all the branches of Islam, dream interpretation is a vital element of everyday Muslim life."

The book also explores Sufism and dreaming, Islamic dream incubation called Istikhara, and a comparison of western and Islamic dream interpretation.