It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say to his companions:“If any of you has seen a dream, let him tell it so that I may interpret it for him.”Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: So a companion came and said: O Messenger of Allah! I saw a cloud (a patch of clouds) between the earth and the sky from which honey and ghee were dripping, and I saw a rope hanging from the sky to the earth. I saw some people taking (the honey and ghee) in their hands, some taking more and some getting less. I saw that you held onto that rope and ascended, and Allah, the Exalted, made you ascend. Then after you, another person held onto that rope and ascended, and Allah, the Exalted, made him ascend as well. Then after him, another person held onto that rope, but the rope broke, then it was joined again, and he too ascended.

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allah! Allow me to interpret this dream. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Go ahead, interpret it.”And Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had the most knowledge of dream interpretation after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: The shade or cloud refers to Islam, and the dripping honey and ghee is the Holy Qur’an, in which there is the sweetness of honey and the softness of milk, and those who are taking it in their hands, some getting more and some less, are the bearers of the Qur’an. In one version, there is this addition: As for the rope hanging from the sky to the earth, it is the truth and leadership upon which you (peace and blessings be upon him) are established. You are holding onto it, and with it, you will meet Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. Then after you, whoever holds onto this rope will also meet Allah with it. Then after him, another man will hold onto it and meet Allah. Then after him, whoever holds onto it, the rope will break for him, then it will be joined again, and he will meet Allah with it.

O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you, tell me, have I interpreted correctly or incorrectly? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“You have interpreted some parts correctly and some parts incorrectly.”He said: Then tell me, where have I spoken correctly and where have I erred? But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refused to tell him.