Allaah has created desire in man and He has commanded His slaves to use this energy in the proper manner. The most proper outlet for this energy is marriage for those who can afford it. This helps to attain additional worldly benefits such as building families, strengthening society and populating the earth according to the laws of Allaah.
Another possible outlet for this desire is wet dreams. It is a means, of expending sexual energy for both sexes. A person plays no role in that, rather it happens as a result of human nature and a person will not be held to blame for that. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The Pen has been lifted from three: from the one who is sleeping until he wakes up, from the child until he reaches the age of puberty, and from one who is insane until he comes to his senses." (Tirmidhi). A person who is sleeping does not know what he is doing and wet dreams occur only when a person is asleep, so he is one of those from whom the Pen is lifted (i.e., his deeds are not recorded).
It Is A Sign Of Puberty
Allaah has in fact made wet dreams [al-hilm] one of the signs of puberty. Hence Allaah says: "And when the children among you come to puberty [al-hilm]. .. " (Q24[Noor]: 59). If wet dreams were haraam, Allaah would not have made that a sign of puberty.
Both Male & Female Have Wet Dream
Umm Salamah (RA) said: "Umm Sulaym (RA) came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said, O Messenger of Allaah, Allaah is not too shy to tell us the truth. Does a woman have to do ghusl if she has a wet dream? The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Yes, if she sees water (a discharge). Umm Salamah (RA) covered her face and said, O Messenger of Allaah, can a woman have an erotic dream? He said, Yes, may your hands be rubbed with dust. How else would her child resemble her?" (Bukhaari)
Ghusl ls Required after A Wet Dream
Aaishah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked about a man who notices some wetness but does not remember having a wet dream. He said, "He should do ghusl." He was asked about a man who thinks that he had an erotic dream but does not see any wetness. He said, "He does not have to do ghusl." Umm Salamah (RA) said, "O Messenger of Allaah, does a woman have to do ghusl if she sees something like that?" He said, "Yes, women are the twin halves of men." (Abu Dawood)
In conclusion: Wet dreams are something natural, and they cannot be gotten rid of. The matter is not an embarrassment nor is it Satanic. And Allaah knows best.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited