Dreaming of an earthquake in Islam: meaning
The Quran has a chapter called The Earthquake, Az-Zalzala. It describes how the earth will shake violently on the Day of Judgement and bring out its burdens, and how everyone will then see even the smallest good or evil again. An earthquake in a dream is therefore often read in the Islamic tradition as an encouragement to reflection.
Within this tradition
The chapter is short and piercing: when the earth is shaken with its quake, and the earth brings out its burdens, and man says: what is the matter with it? On that day it will tell its news. Whoever has done an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever has done an atom's weight of evil will see it.
In the works attributed to Ibn Sirin, an earthquake is often read as a great change or trial for the place where it occurs: unrest, fear or a drastic event for a city or community. An earthquake that does no damage can instead be read as a warning that comes in time, or as a change that ends well.
Many readings also see a personal question in such a dream. If the earth tells its news, what would your story be? The dream can thus be an encouragement to tawba, repentance and return, and to small good deeds, for even an atom's weight counts.
As always in tabir: someone who has experienced earthquakes or reads a lot about them dreams of them more often, and such a dream comes from that fear.
Common variations
An earthquake with much damage
Classically: a trial or great change for a community.
An earthquake without damage
A warning that comes in time, or change that ends well.
The earth opening
What was hidden comes to light, as in Az-Zalzala.
Staying calm during a quake
Trust and steadfastness in a restless time.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
What is the chapter Az-Zalzala?
The ninety-ninth chapter of the Quran, The Earthquake, about the Day of Judgement when everyone's deeds become visible.
What is tawba?
Repentance and return to God. A dream about an earthquake is sometimes read as an encouragement to it.
What do you do after a bad dream according to Islam?
Seek refuge in God, spit lightly three times to the left, turn over and do not tell the dream around. According to tradition it then cannot harm you.