If a person sees someone in their dream claiming to be the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but his appearance differs from the well-known descriptions, should the spoken words in the dream be taken as valid, or does verification require a match in physical appearance as well?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, can be seen in a dream. Satan does not appear in his true form; rather, he comes in another form and claims to be the Prophet. The proof is that Satan cannot imitate him. Seeing him in a dream is valid if the dreamer sees him in his true form at any stage of his life (youth, manhood, old age, or at the end of his life). However, the claim of seeing him in every form is a weak Hadith. Old voices, handsome men, or someone saying "Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him" have no relation to truly seeing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.