Experiencing Astral Travel in Dreams: A Journey to Spiritual Dimensions and the Islamic Perspective

What is Astral Travel in Dreams?

Experiencing astral travel in dreams is defined as a phenomenon where the soul separates from the body and journeys to different dimensions or places. While astral travel is often associated with mystical traditions, it is also examined in Islam through the lens of dreams and spiritual journeys. But is astral travel in dreams truly possible? Are there any indications of this phenomenon in the Quran and Hadith?

The Connection Between Astral Travel and Dreams

In Islam, dreams are considered a window into different dimensions of the soul. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, “A righteous dream is one of the forty-six parts of prophethood.” (Bukhari, Ta’bir 5), highlighting the significance of dreams. It is believed that during sleep, a person’s soul embarks on a journey and sometimes receives messages about the future.

The Quran also contains verses suggesting that the soul can leave the body during sleep:

  • Surah Az-Zumar (39:42): “It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die (He takes away) during their sleep. Then He retains those for whom He has ordained death and releases the others for an appointed term...”

This verse suggests that during dreams, the soul can separate from the body, which some interpret as a form of astral travel.

Mevlana and Spiritual Journeys

Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi often emphasized that the soul is not confined to the body and can reach different dimensions through divine love. His words provide deep insights into the concept of spiritual travel:

  • “When you are not in this body, you exist in a thousand soul realms.” – Suggests that the soul can travel to different realms during dreams.

  • “Sleep is a rehearsal for dying before you actually die.” – Indicates that the soul may be set free during sleep.

  • “The lover who performs the whirling dance leaves his body and reaches the Divine.” – Describes how the soul transcends physical limitations and enters different dimensions.

Mevlana’s philosophy suggests that astral travel is not just a physical experience but also a spiritual ascension.

Astral Travel in Dreams from an Islamic Perspective

Islamic scholars acknowledge that the soul may visit different realms during dreams, yet they approach deliberate attempts at astral travel with caution. Some key points to consider are:

  • Dreams and spiritual experiences can be divine messages. However, such experiences should always be interpreted in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.

  • Uncontrolled astral travel experiences may carry risks. In Islam, the soul does not leave the body except at the time of death, and spiritual journeys that happen without human control are seen as divine experiences.

  • Caution against the whispers of Satan. Uncontrolled spiritual experiences may sometimes lead individuals away from the truth.

Conclusion

Experiencing astral travel in dreams can be perceived as a mystical journey where the soul connects with different dimensions. While Islam acknowledges the possibility of such spiritual journeys, it is essential to evaluate them in the light of the Quran and Hadith. Sufi scholars, particularly Mevlana, emphasize the importance of dreams and spiritual ascensions in the human journey toward divine truth.

To gain a deeper understanding of astral travel, it is beneficial to study Sufi teachings and seek insights from Islamic sources to interpret such experiences correctly.