Seeing a donkey may signify a servant, child, or wife, and may also signify travel or knowledge. The source additionally connects it with a learned person who does not act on knowledge, and cites Qur'an 62:5. Owning donkeys or mules, or riding one, signifies adornment through wealth and children.
Hearing a donkey bray is unfavorable and is associated with harm and severity.
Ibn Sirin preferred the donkey among animals, especially a black one. A saddled donkey signifies an honored child; a long tail signifies the continuing prosperity of one's descendants.
Eating donkey meat signifies unexpected help from an ignorant person. A she-donkey is treated more favorably: it may signify livelihood, assistance, or a fertile woman; its giving birth signifies the opening of avenues of provision.
Riding a she-donkey without a foal signifies marriage to a childless woman. Owning, tying, or bringing a donkey into the house signifies much good and relief from sorrow. A donkey with many tails signifies broad provision. Bringing a wild donkey home for hunting signifies gain and spoils, while riding a wild donkey signifies turning from truth toward falsehood and separation from the Muslim community. Danyal says riding a donkey signifies good fortune and high rank.
Ja'far al-Sadiq interprets the donkey through fortune, authority, fulfillment of affairs, leadership, wealth and spouse, servant, honor, and rank.
Abu Sa'id al-Wa'iz says the donkey represents a person's ambition and effort; becoming a donkey signifies harm from relatives, while a donkey riding on one's back signifies power and strength.
Riding a she-donkey signifies goodness and blessing, and a pregnant she-donkey signifies the appearance of something hoped for.