Is it haram to have a dog? All sorts of animal cruelty are prohibited in Islam, which instructs its adherents to be compassionate to all animals. Why, then, do many Muslims appear to have issues with dogs?
Is it haram to have a dog?
Aren’t dogs meant to be a man’s best friend?
Assalamualaikum, in this post, we shall look at the debate over Is it haram to have a dog? (whether keeping dogs as pets is haram or halal).
Many people appear to be split on this subject.
For a matter like this, we’ll start with the Quran, then the hadith, and ultimately what certain scholars have said about it.
Hopefully, after the post, you will have a better understanding of the many arguments for and against and will be able to make your own informed choice.
Is it haram to have a dog? Because it Unclean!
Why do so many Muslims consider dogs to be haram? We’ll go to the hadith for this.
Most Muslim scholars believe that dog saliva is ritually filthy in Islam and that items (or maybe people) that come into touch with dog saliva must be cleaned seven times. The following hadith informs this decision:
“When the dog licks the utensil, wash it seven times, and rub it with earth the eighth time.”
However, it should be emphasized that one of the Islamic primary schools of thought (Maliki) claims that this is merely a common-sense strategy for preventing the transmission of sickness rather than a question of ritual hygiene.
However, more hadiths warn dog owners of dire consequences:
“The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘Whoever keeps a dog, his good deeds will decrease every day by one qeeraat [a unit of measurement], unless it is a dog for farming or herding.’ In another report, it is said: ‘ …unless it is a dog for herding sheep, farming or hunting.'”—Bukhari Sharif
“The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or an animate picture.'”—Bukhari Sharif
Is it haram to have a dog? These traditions are at the root of many Muslims’ prohibitions on having dogs in their homes, except working or service dogs.
Quran verses on Dogs
In the Quran, dogs are mentioned twice. Surah Al-Ma’idah is the first. In other words, Allah thinks it’s okay to consume what the dog has hunted for you.
“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)
The Quran mentions dogs for the second time in Al-Kahf. The narrative of a youngster who was protected by a dog guarding the cave’s entrance is told in this Surat.
“That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide. And you would think them awake while they were asleep. And we turned them to the right and 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 18:17-18)
Is it haram to have a dog? It is clear from these verses that dogs can be maintained for both hunting and guarding purposes.
The Quran contains no explicit statements against dogs as pets and solely has pleasant things to say about them.
IS IT HARAM TO HAVE A DOG, AS SCHOLARS HAVE DECIDED?
As you shall see momentarily, they frequently reference the hadith we just read.
Dr.Zakir Naik Opinion
He explained: It is forbidden to keep dogs as pets in your home in Islam.
However, maintaining a dog for hunting is no problem, just as keeping a dog to defend your home is no problem.
Sheikh Assim Opinion about Is it haram to have a dog?
In a nutshell — It is haram because having a pet reduces your good acts by qirat (mountain).
Second, angels will not enter “a dwelling containing a statue, a dog, or a picture.”
He argues that as Muslims, we don’t need to question why Allah or the Prophet have commanded us to do anything.
Most of the time, Allah provides us with grounds for prohibiting something; nevertheless, he does not in a limited number of circumstances.
This would be one of the few exceptions. As Allah knows best, we must heed his commandments.
According to Bilal Phillips, can we have a dog for protection in the house?
Is it haram to have a dog? It is not permitted to keep a dog as a buddy or companion.
It is legal if a dog is maintained for protection, herding, or hunting.
If it is kept, make sure it is kept in a specific location.
The dog should not be allowed in the bedroom, where he wakes up kissing your face.
According to Bilal Philips, a dog that licks a Muslim’s hand would not be breaking ablution.
The licking of the vessel,’ as mentioned in the hadith, refers to food containers that must be properly cleaned.
Lack of Familiarity, not Hatred
Dogs are not often kept as pets in many nations.
The only dogs they’ve ever seen are the groups of dogs that roam the streets or roam the countryside in packs for some individuals.
People who do not grow up in an environment with friendly dogs are more likely to have a natural dread of them.
Because they are unfamiliar with a dog’s indications and actions, a rambunctious animal charging at them is perceived as hostile rather than amusing.
Many Muslims who appear to “hate” dogs are terrified of them since they are unfamiliar.
To avoid dealing with dogs, they may offer reasons (“I’m allergic”) or highlight the religious “uncleanliness” of dogs.
Read More: What does haram mean? 30 Major Haram | Amazing info
Source: Haram or Halal
