Question:
I want to know if it is permissible in Islam to have an OBE (Out of body experience) Knowingly? (Unknown) I started by having spontaneous OBE at an early age of 16 after praying the Fajr Namaaz and then retiring back to sleep. I would feel as if I am awake I would walk and talk and then I realize I am still asleep and then I wake up again and get dressed and again I realize its still a dream (very real) this happens three or four times in a row. However, these dreamlets only happen when I pray Fajr and go back to sleep. It will not happen on normal, if I were not to wake up for Fajr. Nevertheless, at first I used to get scared, I sometimes felt force on my chest as if someone was sitting on me. Then in my mind, I would pray the first Kalimah. Then I would wake up. My actual problem is now that I am 25 and having been through this for numerous years, I actually enjoy this I try to get into the state more often and it has gone from lucid dreaming to actual OBEs. Is this allowed in Islam? In addition, if it is not what can I pray to keep away from this. It is addictive. I also have a fear of encounter with the Jinns due to this. I have heard the soul goes out of the body into another realm (the jinn world) in an OBE. There are many sites on the web regarding this mater, however nothing from an Islamic point of view.
Answer:
With regards to what you have mentioned concerning OBE, Islam does not encourage a person to either acquire this or practice upon it. Therefore, this type of action will fall under the category of futile and vain activities and Islam commands that such activities be stopped. Therefore you should stop this habit and read Aayatul Kursi, Surah Jinn and Mu’awwazatain or Manzil for protection.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
23 August 2005
17 Rajab 1426