Sahl al-Otaibi

Sahl al-Otaibi (full name Sahl ibn Rifaʿ ibn Suhayl al-ʿUtaybī) is a contemporary Islamic scholar specializing in Islamic creed and theology, best known for his monograph al-Ruʾyā ʿinda Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah wal-Mukhālifīn ("Visions and Dreams According to Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaʿah and Opposing Groups") Nataij al-Buhuth wa Khawa…+1.

Scholarly Focus and Doctrinal Contributions

Al-Otaibi's research centers on the theological and jurisprudential status of dreams and visions in Islamic thought. In his treatise published in Riyadh in 1430 AH (2009 CE), he investigates the reality of dreams using the Quran, the prophetic Sunnah, and the interpretations of early Muslim scholars (the Salaf), while systematically evaluating and critiquing opposing theological views Nataij al-Buhuth wa Khawa…+1.

His work establishes key theological principles: that prophetic dreams constitute direct revelation (such as those of Ibrahim and Yusuf), that a righteous believer's dream is considered a part of prophethood, and that hadith scholars historically arranged specific chapters and treatises to articulate the rulings, etiquettes, and nature of dreams Nataij al-Buhuth wa Khawa…+1.

Al-Otaibi also treats complex doctrinal issues related to dream phenomena, such as reports regarding the Prophet's ﷺ vision of his Lord in sleep, as well as the criteria for seeing the Prophet ﷺ in dreams Nataij al-Buhuth wa Khawa…+1. He examines the classical scholarly consensus affirming that seeing the Prophet ﷺ in his known historical appearance is true, while detailing the scholarly differences regarding claims of seeing him in other forms al-Ruya inda Ahl al-Sunna…. In evaluating contemporary practices, he cautions against both neglect and excessive preoccupation with dream interpretation, noting how ungrounded interpretations can be exploited by distortive factions to promote false doctrines al-Ruya inda Ahl al-Sunna….