Dreams and inspirations are open proofs of the higher world. The past, present, and future are frequently seen in a dream, and may also be revealed through inspiration. The righteous person sees more clearly than the unrighteous. There are five kinds of dreams:

1. Khayali — in which the actions and thoughts of the day are reproduced in sleep.
2. Qalbi — in which the dream is opposite to the real happening.
3. Naqshi — in which the real meaning is disguised by as symbolic representation which only the wise can understand.
4. Ruhi — in which the real happening is literally shown.
5. Elhami — in which divine messages are given in letters or by an angelic voice.

Dreams give, sometimes clearly, sometimes in a veiled form, warnings of coming dangers and assurance of success. The ability to be conscious of dreams and their meaning varies with the degree of development attained.

Dreams have their effect sooner or later, according to the stars under which they take place. The dream seen at midnight is realized within one year, and the dream of the latter part of night within six months; the dream of the early morning is realized soon after. At the same time the manifestation of dreams is subject to qualification according to the good or bad actions of the dreamer.

Excerpted from A Sufi Message on Spiritual Liberty by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, 1914.