Praise be to Allah.
Keeping dogs as pets in Islam is generally discouraged unless there is a valid reason, such as guarding property, hunting, or assisting individuals with disabilities. Keeping a dog without necessity may result in a reduction of a person’s reward and brings other complications related to ritual purity.
Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah:
- The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Whoever keeps a dog, except for a dog for guarding sheep, farming, or hunting, will lose two qirats of reward every day.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2322; Sahih Muslim, 1575)
- Angels do not enter homes where dogs are kept unnecessarily:“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or images.” (Sahih Muslim, 2106)
Permissible Reasons for Keeping Dogs:
- Guarding Property or Livestock:
The use of dogs for security is explicitly allowed, as mentioned in the hadith above. - Hunting:
Allah says:“So eat of what they catch for you and mention the name of Allah upon it.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:4) - Assistance Dogs:
Using dogs for medical assistance (e.g., guide dogs for the visually impaired) is considered a necessity and thus permissible.
Rules for Keeping Dogs:
- They should not live inside the house unless necessary.
- Contact with the dog’s saliva requires purification (washing seven times, one with soil).
- Ensure the dog’s role aligns with Islamic teachings.
