Introduction: The Philosophy of Dwellings in Dreams A house in human life is not merely walls and a roof offering protection from heat and cold; it is sanctuary and serenity, the resting place for the soul after the weariness of travel. Thus, the symbol of the "House" has acquired a central and profound status in the world of dreams. It reflects the dreamer's psychological, physical, social, and even spiritual state. When a sleeper sees a house in their dream—whether new with its luster and splendor, or old with its fragrance and memories—they are, in reality, looking into the mirror of their soul. Moving from one house to another in a dream represents a transition from one state to another in wakefulness. The masters of dream interpretation in Islamic heritage— Ibn Sirin , Al-Nabulsi , and Ibn Shaheen —gave this symbol immense attention, detailing it precisely to connect the structure's form with the dreamer's condition and future outcomes. In this detailed article, we will delve into the depths of interpreting the vision of the New House and the Old House, relying exclusively on the authorized classical heritage, with a glimpse of modern psychological understanding. II. General Interpretation of the Symbol (Ibn Sirin – Al-Nabulsi – Ibn Shaheen) The three scholars agreed that the house in a dream represents the "Man of the House" or the "Dreamer" , and it may symbolize the "Human Body" inhabited by the soul, or the "Wife" with whom the husband finds comfort. 1. Ibn Sirin's View: Imam Ibn Sirin sees the new house in a dream as a sign of pure goodness, especially if the house is well-built and beautiful. For him, the new house symbolizes wealth for the poor and relief for the distressed . Ibn Sirin posits that the house is the man's structure; thus, whatever newness or age befalls the house reflects on the dreamer's health and body. He also connects the house to the woman; whoever sees themselves building or buying a new house will marry if single, or attain vast worldly success. 2. Al-Nabulsi's View: Sheikh Abdul Ghani Al-Nabulsi widens the scope, viewing the house as the "World" (Dunya) the person lives in. The new house for him is a renewal of status and authority , and elevation of rank. As for the old or dilapidated house, it indicates a deficiency in religion or worldly life. Al-Nabulsi adds a social dimension, seeing that the house may symbolize Parents or family; returning to an old house might mean returning to the family's origins or previous conditions. 3. Ibn Shaheen's View: Ibn Shaheen Al-Zahiri focuses on the concept of "Construction" and "Transition" . Whoever demolishes a new house has encountered evil, and whoever moves from a narrow house to a wide one has moved from the distress of the world to its abundance. Ibn Shaheen connects the new house to security after fear, and repentance after sin, considering "building a house" as building the dreamer's future and good deeds. III. Positive Interpretation (Omens of Transition) The new house, and in some cases the old one, carries positive connotations agreed upon by interpreters: The New House as a Symbol of a Righteous Wife (Ibn Sirin): Ibn Sirin asserts that if a man sees himself entering a new house with complete amenities, and this house is unknown to him (he does not know its owner in reality), this is definitive proof of his marriage to a righteous woman of character and faith, proportional to the house's beauty. Abundance and Wealth (Al-Nabulsi): Al-Nabulsi states that seeing a spacious new house, especially if plastered (with gypsum) and decorated without excess, indicates an increase in money and sustenance. If the dreamer is a merchant, the new house signifies profit and expansion of trade. Repentance and Guidance (Ibn Shaheen): Ibn Shaheen views moving from an old, dilapidated, or dark house to a new, illuminated one as a transition from disobedience to obedience, and from disbelief or innovation to faith and tradition. It is a symbol of the soul's rebirth. Healing and Wellness (Consensus): Since the house symbolizes the body, renovating an old house or moving to a new, sturdy one is interpreted as healing for the sick, restoration of wellness, and longevity, provided the new house is not desolate or resembling a tomb. IV. Negative or Warning Interpretation (Signs of Demolition and Distress) On the other hand, the vision may carry severe warnings depending on the house's condition: The Collapsing Old House (Ibn Sirin): Ibn Sirin believes that the fall of a house or the collapse of its walls may portend the death of the house's owner or a calamity befalling them. An old house with falling parts indicates the scattering of the family or the return of old illnesses. The Isolated New House (Al-Nabulsi): Al-Nabulsi warns against seeing the construction of a new house in an unknown or isolated place, especially if built with bright white clay, as it may symbolize the "Abode of the Hereafter" or the grave, potentially meaning the approach of death for a sick person. Narrowness and Darkness (Ibn Shaheen): A narrow house in a dream, according to Ibn Shaheen, is the dreamer's stinginess, chest tightness, or financial difficulty. A dark house represents a man of bad character, an unrighteous wife, or immersion in sins and worries. Demolishing the New House (Ibn Sirin): Whoever sees themselves building a house and then demolishing it is breaking a covenant, divorcing their wife, or corrupting a good deed they had started. V. Interpretation by Social Status The interpretation of moving between houses varies radically based on the dreamer's social status, according to the methodology of the three scholars: 1. Single Woman New House: The primary symbol of marriage and moving to a life of partnership. If spacious and bright, it indicates a wealthy and good-natured husband. Old House: May indicate marriage to a poor person or a return to a past emotional relationship. It may also symbolize adherence to old customs. Cleaning the House: Indicates readiness to receive a happy event that will change her life. 2. Married Woman New House: Indicates stability in marital life and perhaps a near pregnancy. If she builds a new house, she manages her family affairs and children's upbringing well. Old House: Symbolizes financial problems or debts burdening the family. Returning to an abandoned old house may mean the reignition of old disputes with the husband or his family. Renovating the House: Her serious attempt to fix what has been corrupted in her relationship with her husband. 3. Pregnant Woman New House: Good news regarding the safety of the newborn and ease of delivery. A spacious house indicates the newborn's abundant future provision. Old House: A warning to pay attention to her health; she may face some pregnancy-related physical troubles, but they will pass. 4. Divorced Woman New House: Represents a completely new beginning, ridding herself of painful past memories, and may indicate a new marriage that compensates her well. Old House: Nostalgia for her ex-husband or the dominance of painful memories. If she sees herself leaving a narrow old house, she is liberating herself from societal restrictions. 5. Man New House: For a single man, marriage; for a married man, a promotion at work or a new profitable project. Old House: Indicates professional obstacles or negligence towards the wife and children. Demolishing the old house may mean severing ties of kinship or discarding outdated ideas hindering him. VI. Psychological Analysis (The House as a Mirror of the Self) In modern psychology, specifically in the psychoanalytic school (Jung and Freud), the "House" is viewed as the strongest symbol of "The Self" . The facade represents the social "mask" one shows to people. The inner rooms represent hidden aspects of the personality. The basement or dark lower places symbolize the "Unconscious" and repressed fears. Psychologically, a new house reflects the dreamer's desire to "reinvent themselves" or search for a new identity, while the old house represents roots, memory, nostalgia for childhood safety, or fear of aging. Moving from one house to another is a process of maturity and personality evolution. VII. Special Cases and Traditional Interpretations There are precise details mentioned by scholars worth noting: 1. Mud House vs. Stone House Ibn Sirin: A house built of mud and adobe implies lawfulness (Halal), blessing, and mercy, and is better in interpretation than baked bricks (fired by fire) or stone. Mud is from the earth and contains life, whereas fire sometimes carries ominous signs. Al-Nabulsi: Building a house of stone may indicate hardness of heart or prolonged hope with little action, while a house of reeds or wood may indicate hypocrisy of its owners because these materials do not last like solid structures. 2. The Very Spacious House (Palace) If a person sees themselves entering a very spacious house like a palace, this is, according to Ibn Shaheen , a great blessing and expansion in the world, provided they do not see signs of debauchery within it. 3. Seeing the Deceased in a New House If a deceased person is seen in a dream inhabiting a beautiful new house, this is a consensus good tiding of the deceased's status in the Hereafter, for the Hereafter is the "True Life" (Al-Hayawan), the new and the everlasting. VIII. Modern Interpretations (Relevance to Current Life) How can we read the symbol of the "House" in light of our fast-paced modern life? House and Career: Today, the "office" is the second home. Thus, seeing a move to a new house may directly interpret as a Career Shift or obtaining a job at a prestigious company. House and Migration: With increased travel, a new house often symbolizes migration or moving to live in another country and establishing a life in a different cultural environment. House and the Digital World: Some may view their website or social media page as their "home." Renovating the house might mean improving Personal Branding . IX. Conclusion Seeing a "House" in a dream, whether new shining with hope, or old bustling with memories, is a coded celestial message calling for contemplation. Ibn Sirin, Al-Nabulsi, and Ibn Shaheen excelled in decoding this vision, linking it to our bodies, livelihoods, relationships, and afterlife destiny. The new house is a call for optimism and future building, while the old house is a reminder of roots or a warning against stagnation. In both cases, the dream remains a guide for the viewer, illuminating corners of their life they might be neglecting in the rush of wakefulness.