Are dogs forbidden in Islam?
Anonymous

Assalaumu’ Alaikum, 

Dogs are animals like any other, in Islam we are encouraged and expected to treat animals with respect and compassion, after all they are Allah (SWT)’s creation, therefore they should never be neglected or abused. 

The Qu’ran tells us;

“There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.” Surah Al’ An’am Verse 36. (Muslim Khan Translation)

I just thought I’d clear up the misconception before answering your question directly, as many muslims may see dogs as animals which are impure not just, “haram for keep” and therefore end up treating them badly or wrongfully, this should not happen, to any animal. Regardless of their relation to us as Human beings.

So, to begin, there are rulings on Human and dog relations in the Qu’ran and the Sunnah; 

It is not permissible to keep a dog in Islam as a “pet” (I must stress this word, pet). Keeping a dog is only permissible if needed hunting, protection, guarding livestock or guarding crops. A pet is “A domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for pleasure” - We as muslims can not own dogs in this fashion as it is haram. They must only be kept for necessary reasons; your intention should also be clear.

As stated by The Prophet (SWS), Narrated by Al Bukhari, 21:45:

“Whoever keeps a dog, a qiraat from his good deeds will be deducted every day, except a dog for farming or herding livestock.”  

This tells us, quite explicitly that is haram to keep a dog unless for the reasons stated above. Now even when a dog is kept for the reasons above (guarding, security etc) it is extremely advisable to keep the dog outside away from the family home, in a kennel often. This is because…  

The Prophet (SWS) said; “Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal).”    

(Narrated by Abu Talha, Bukahri - Book 4 Hadith 448)  

Not only do Angels not enter the home (Subhan’Allah) but dogs saliva is also said to be very very impure and unhealthy for us humans. The Prophet SWS was said to of enjoined washing vessels that had been licked by a dog. Science has also proved that a dogs saliva is very impure as it contains things which can harm us. 

Also the saliva of a dog nullifies our wudho! If one has been touched by a dog or been licked by its saliva either on the skin or clothing, they must wash the area 7 times (Scholarly difference), the clothes must also be washed separately, to other clothes.  

So to summarise; 

  • Dogs must not be kept as pets. 
  • They can be kept for; hunting, guarding livestock or guarding crops.
  • Angels do not enter the home of which they reside. 
  • The saliva nullifies our wudho.
  • The saliva is impure. 

Hope this was beneficial Insha’Allah.


Music:

There are several messages in our inbox debating this issue, some asking why it is haraam, some stating that it isn’t and that it even fits into islam. I’m just going to make one last statement about the whole thing, that is, the playing of musical instruments and songs. 

The Qur’an and Sunnah are not something that we should be trying to fit to society, rather we should be trying to implement the Qur’an and Sunnah into our lives and into our societies. People tend to make excuses for our religion, or to find ways to make something permissible which is clearly forbidden. When a non-muslim asks about having more than one wife, or not being able to listen to music, some begin to take an apologetic tone, trying to make excuses, or even stating without knowledge that these are misunderstandings. Allah has decreed what he has decreed, and matters that are clear cut, including music, should not even be disputed. But clearly the truth is in our hearts, it makes no difference if someone denies it or not, if someone tries to change it to fit their desires or not, the truth is the truth.

You would not feel happy I’m sure if you walked into a mosque with music playing loudly inside. Or even feel comfortable listening to it on headphones. Why? Because you know deep down inside it’s wrong. And fair enough, scholars can debate as to what particular words mean in the Qur’an when it comes to music (although every major and accepted translator and scholar has stated that the certain word disputed means musical instruments amongst other things) so let’s turn to the sunnah.

I’ve already stated that all four imams (Hanifah, Malik, Hanbal, Shafi’ee) clearly stated it was wrong and haraam to listen to music (apart from the duff on certain occasions as written in hadith). So if any of you follow these imams then you cannot dispute this fact.

But then some claim that they may have ‘gotten it wrong’. Well four of them stated that if a matter was found in the Sunnah that contradicted their own, then of course, forget their claims and follow the Sunnah. So here are authentic hadith:

Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari: that he heard the Prophet saying,

“From among my followers there will be some people who will seek to make lawful illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.”  (Book #69, Hadith #494v)

Narrated Abu Malik al-Ash’ari: that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, 

“Soon there will be people from my Ummah who will consume alcohol, they will change its name (by regarding it permissible), on their heads will be instruments of music and singing. Allah will make the ground swallow them up, and turn them into monkeys and swine.”

(Sahih Ibn Hibban & Sunan Ibn Majah, with a sound chain of narration).

In both these hadiths the ma’azif is used, and all arabic scholars have stated that this is referring to music.

Narrated Abd Allah Ibn Umar: he reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Verily Allah has forbidden alcohol, gambling, drum and guitar, and every intoxicant is haram”

(Musnad Ahmad & Sunan Abu Dawud).

It is reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Music grows hypocrisy in the heart just as water causes the crops to grow.”

(Sunan al-Bayhaqi)

Narrated Abu Umama reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:

“Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance”

(Musnad Ahmad & Abu Dawud Tayalisi).

Surely this is enough proof. Anyone who has anymore disputes, stop trying to make excuses and seriously contemplate. Just because the heart is attached to something, doesn’t make it halal. InshAllah this was a sufficient enough response.