Islamic Interpretation
(Vapor, Sky, Rain, Life, Concealment) In a dream, clouds symbolize the path of existence, bringing nourishing rain, water for cleansing, irrigation for crops, and provision. They also represent knowledge, comprehension, insight, and illumination, reflecting divine benevolence. Clouds can denote an army or companions who carry water—water itself symbolizing life and the primal element from which all things are formed. Alternatively, clouds may signify ships, aircraft, or, if dark, bearing stones or thunder, a ruler’s oppressive nature who withholds his people’s rights or imposes harsh decrees. Seeing a cloud inside one’s home or descending into one’s room means joining the company of the faithful, receiving a reward, being granted wisdom, or, for one hoping for a child, his wife conceiving. For a merchant, it indicates his goods reaching their port. Riding upon a cloud signifies elevation, wedding a devout woman, performing the pilgrimage if desired, or gaining renown for knowledge and wisdom. If qualified, it may mean commanding troops, rising in station, or serving as an envoy or ambassador. If people await rain for their fields and one sees clear, rain-laden clouds approaching, it warns of a disaster. Clouds bearing toxic, acidic, or polluted rain, driven by fierce winds, or carrying fire, dust, ashes, or volcanic rocks foretell a calamity befalling that region or news of travelers perishing on a journey. Clouds can also symbolize novel ideologies or fabricated religions spreading across the land. Merging with clouds means associating with a person of authority, a sage, or a scholar. Eating clouds signifies gaining lawful income or wisdom from such a person. Gathering clouds means acquiring wisdom from a companion. Mingling with clouds without deriving benefit means keeping company with the learned but absorbing or applying nothing. Riding atop clouds suggests achieving fame for one’s insight and knowledge. If one’s son becomes a cloud, it means he earns his living by imparting wisdom or religious instruction. Dark clouds denote wisdom, patience, honesty, and gladness; if they appear threatening or frightening, they portend a rebuke from a wise figure. Building a dwelling upon a cloud reflects an honest life, lawful earnings, and a wise, upright character. Erecting a palace on a cloud indicates using wisdom to avoid sin and, through one’s actions, constructing a mansion in Paradise. Holding a cloud from which rain falls represents the wisdom one speaks. Transforming into a rain‑cloud signifies living in abundance and benefiting others with one’s wealth. Becoming a cloud that rains gold means learning wisdom from a great teacher. Clouds may also represent those in power who bestow favors without seeking return. Hearing a human voice call from behind a cloud suggests, God willing, one will perform the pilgrimage. (See Invisible caller). A dark cloud can symbolize a just judge; a white cloud, a blessed and noble justice. Seasonable clouds denote advantage, profit, and prosperity. Masses of dark, rainless clouds bring benefit, intense cold, grief, or sorrow. Red clouds signify distress, hardship, or illness. A cloud enveloping a town indicates blessings. For one planning a journey, dark clouds mean the trip will occur but safety is uncertain; for the sorrowful, they signal relief. White clouds point to labor, employment, or trade. Rising mist suggests embarking on or returning from a journey. Red clouds imply lack of work. A gloomy cloud means anxiety. Clouds that seem to welcome the dreamer bring good news; for a wrongdoer, they portend punishment for misdeeds. Clouds obscuring the sun suggest the ruler of that land is unwell. Wearing a shirt of clouds signifies the favors God has bestowed. Clouds also stand for virtues, miracles, grace, rain, love, and blessings—they often appear when a prophet or saint prays for rain or shelter from the sun. Lastly, clouds can indicate travel by sea or air.