Dogs have always been a controversial topic amongst Muslims and in Islam. We often hear that the dog is man’s best friend, and I’m sure most of you know a few Muslims who keep dogs as pets.
But can Muslims have dogs? Muslims can only have dogs for hunting, safe-guarding and protection, or disability aid purposes. It is forbidden, in Islam, for Muslims to keep dogs as pets. The prohibition of Muslims keeping dogs as pets is derived from the research and interpretation of authentic hadith.
In this article, I will try to address – as much as I can – the confusion and controversy regarding dogs in Islam.
Keeping Dogs in Islam
It’s no secret that many Muslims have their reservations about dogs – particularly the saliva of dogs, which is believed as impure. However, we need to see if this attitude towards dogs is actually founded in Islam.
First, we’ll start at the beginning as with everything in Islam – The Quran. Then, we’ll go further into the Hadith and Sunnah to try and tie everything together regarding the keeping of dogs in Islam.
The Quran mentions the dog a couple of times. It’s important to note that the Quran doesn’t mention the dog in a negative light. On the contrary, the Quran actually mentions the dog in a dignified manner.
They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah.” Indeed, Allah is swift in Account.
Quran – 5:4
Majority of scholars agree that the above Quranic verse refers to dogs and birds as “hunting animals”. That said, the above verse tells us that we may eat of the prey that hunting dogs bring back to us – as long as it’s done in Allah’s name.
It’s safe to say that a hunting dog’s saliva would touch and mix with any prey that it hunted, and yet we are allowed to eat that prey. Based on this, many scholars agree that dogs, nor their saliva, are impure.
The Quran mentions the dog a second time is Surah Kahf, where a group of children hid in a cave while running away from enemies. The Quran tells us that a dog stretched its legs at the entrance of the cave to protect the children while they were sleeping.
And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.
Quran – 18:18
The above Quranic verses tells us that the dog served as a protector to the sleeping children.
It’s still unclear from these Quranic verses whether or not we’re allowed to keep dogs as pets in Islam. Hadith and Sunnah have been interpreted slightly differently amongst scholars, so let’s dig a litter deeper into the matter…
Can Muslims Have Dogs As Pets?
Muslims keeping dogs as pets is where all the confusion and controversy comes into play. Many Muslims do in fact have dogs as pets, but the majority of Muslims believe it’s totally haram to keep dogs as pets in Islam.
So, can Muslims have dogs as pets? No. Muslims cannot have dogs as pets, according to the majority of Islamic scholars. Muslims may only keep dogs for hunting or protection purposes. The prohibition of keeping dogs as pets is derived from the research and interpretation of authentic Hadith.
According to the Hadith, you may only keep a dog for hunting or protection purposes. Islamic fatwas have also made it permissible for disabled Muslims to own and use a guide dog.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah:
That the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever acquires a dog – with the exception of a dog to guard livestock, a hunting dog, or a farm dog – each day a Qirat is deducted from his reward.”
Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 1490
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever keeps a dog which is neither a watch dog nor a hunting dog, will get a daily deduction of two Qirat from his good deeds.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5480
The two Hadith referenced above makes it clear to Muslims that keeping pet dogs are prohibited in Islam. If you are wondering what “Qirat” are, the following Hadith may help you understand…
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying:
He who attends the funeral till the prayer is offered for (the dead), for him is the reward of one qirat, and he who attends (and stays) till he is buried, for him is the reward of two qirats. It was said: What are the qirats? He said: They are equivalent to two huge mountains.
Sahih Muslim 945a
So even though you may keep dogs for hunting or safeguarding, there is still some confusion as to whether or not you’re allowed to keep your dogs in your house. Let’s take a deeper look into those matters…
Is it haram to have a dog in the house?
So you have hunting or guard dogs, which is permissible in Islam. Or perhaps you have a guide/service dog – which is also permissible in Islam. But you’re unsure as to whether or not you can keep them in your house…
So, is it haram to have a dog in the house? Yes. According to the majority of scholars, it is not permissible for Muslims to keep a dog in the house. According to Hadith, angels do not enter the home where there is a dog inside.
Why is it haram to have a dog in the house?
There are two Hadith reinforcing the prohibition of keeping a dog in your house.
Angel Jibreel was supposed to visit the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at a specified time. When Jibreel showed up later than expected, he explained to Muhammad (PBUH) that he couldn’t enter the house as there was a puppy inside. Jibreel informed Muhammad (PBUH) that angels cannot enter a home with a dog or animate picture inside.
It was narrated from Abu Talhah that:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 5347
If the above Hadith is not enough, then also note the difficulties and effort it would require for you to keep a dog in your house. If the dog’s saliva touches crockery or utensils, you would have to wash those items seven times, based on the following Hadith…
Abu Hurairah reported:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: When a dog drinks out of a vessel belonging to any one of you, he must wash it seven times.
Sahih Muslim 279c
So, according to the Hadith and Sunnah, it’s clear why we shouldn’t keep dogs in the house. I mean, who of you wouldn’t want angels entering your house?
And Allah knows best.