Dreaming of a scorpion in Islam: meaning
In classical Islamic dream interpretation a scorpion often stands for an enemy who slanders: someone who seems weak, but stings with words. At the same time the tradition knows a famous story in which the Fatiha heals someone stung by a scorpion.
Within this tradition
In the works attributed to Ibn Sirin, the scorpion is the image of a gossip or an enemy who does harm in secret, often someone from one's own circle. Being stung can thus be read as slander that hits you. Killing a scorpion, as the end of such enmity or seeing through someone. A scorpion in your house or clothing, as someone close who does not have your best interests at heart.
The scorpion also appears in the hadith. According to a well-known tradition a group of companions came to a tribe whose chief had been stung by a scorpion. One of them recited the Fatiha over him, and he recovered. The Prophet approved and asked: how did you know that it is a ruqya? That is why the Fatiha is seen to this day as protection and healing. It is also reported that the Prophet himself was stung by a scorpion during prayer, and afterwards killed the scorpion and asked for protection.
Someone who dreams of a scorpion can read the dream in that light: watchfulness for gossip and harm, and trust in protection. The tradition advises seeking refuge in God after a bad dream, and reciting the well-known verses and supplications of protection in the evening.
As always in tabir: someone afraid of scorpions during the day or living in a country where they occur dreams of them more often.
Common variations
Being stung
Classically: slander or harm from someone in your own circle.
Killing a scorpion
The end of an enmity, or seeing through someone.
A scorpion in your house
Someone close who does not have your best interests at heart. A possibility, not a certainty.
Reciting the Fatiha over a sting
Protection and healing, as in the well-known tradition.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
What is the story of the Fatiha and the scorpion?
A companion recited the Fatiha over a tribal chief stung by a scorpion, and he recovered. The Prophet approved.
What is ruqya?
Reciting Quranic verses and supplications for protection and healing.
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.