Dog keeping is in demand among people of every age for various reasons. Some keep dogs for hunting animals and birds. Some keep dogs to guard the house and Some people keep dogs for play. For these reasons, people ask the question – Is it Haram to have a dog?
Besides, nowadays dogs are trained to retrieve various secret information. That is why the intelligence forces of different countries keep dogs. Since there are many purposes and reasons for keeping a dog, I am discussing whether it is haram to have a dog considering these aspects.
Is it Haram to have a dog?
Yes, It’s Haram to have a dog. Because Islam has called the dog a dirty and violent animal, it is even said in the hadith to wash the vessel where the dog puts its mouth seven times.
However, there are different rules for dogs in certain areas, Because People keep dogs for various reasons and purposes. So it is difficult to say that keeping a dog is Haram or Halal.
There will also be differences in order due to differences in purpose. For example, the work of a person who raises a dog for hunting cannot be called halal.
Again, the work of a person who keeps dogs only for entertainment cannot be called halal because there are strict prohibitions about dogs in Islam.
Keeping all these aspects and objectives in mind, the provisions of dog Islam need to be presented a little differently.
Opinion of scholars about the dog in Islam
In Islam, scholars have different opinions regarding the permissibility of keeping dogs as pets. One opinion is that dogs are impure; therefore, it is not permissible to keep them as pets unless they are kept for a specific purpose, such as guarding the house or hunting.
This view is based on the belief that dogs are inherently impure, and their saliva is considered najis (impure) in Islam.
However, scholars believe it is permissible to keep dogs as pets if certain conditions are met. These conditions include ensuring the dog is kept clean, and its saliva does not come into contact with the person’s body or clothing.
In addition, the dog should not be kept inside the house and should have its designated space outside.
It is important to consult a knowledgeable and reputable scholar to determine the appropriate stance on this issue.
Why dog Haram in Islam?
The main and only reason Islam forbids dogs is that Allah has forbidden it; he knows the reason. But we can tell some reasons from our research. They are as follows.
First, Satan’s influence is greater in dogs. That’s why dogs bark during Azan.
Secondly, even though the dog is devoted to its master, it has a bad temper. For example, I do not tolerate others, always play sports, eat rotten and inferior food, indulge in obscenity everywhere, hurt people, blush at the sight of food, etc.
It is said to stay away from the company of dogs in the light of ‘people are influenced by their companions’.
Thirdly, it is said to stay away from the company of dogs so that they do not harm people. Because dogs’ nails and mouths have poisonous germs, dogs cannot be trusted. He can harm people at any time. It can cause various diseases, including rabies.
Fourthly, modern medical science has proven that keeping a dog in your home or on your bed can cause various problems, including allergies and viral infections.
Dr Al-Azhar University’s former teacher in this regard. Yusuf Karzawi, in his book ‘Al-Halalu Wal Haram Fil Islam’, mentioned the research of various researchers on dogs.
They opined that the company of dogs is very harmful to humans. He wrote: Judging from the point of view of health science, the danger that can be concentrated on the health and life of the dog and joking with it cannot be considered small and insignificant.
Many people are forced to pay heavily due to their ignorance. This is because dogs harbor germs that can cause permanent and incurable diseases.
Counting the number of people forced to die due to this disease is impossible. These bacteria enter the human liver.
Is guard dog haram?
Since immemorial, people have taken dogs as faithful friends to guard their houses. As soon as the thief arrives, the dog senses it very quickly.
The dog signaled the owner of Chur’s arrival by his moaning. For this reason, dogs are not compared to home security guards.
In this way, the dog can catch prey for its owner. There is no need to worry about teaching a dog to catch its prey and bring it back to its owner unharmed.
He very carefully hunts the animals and brings them to the owner. From this point of view, the owner of a dog can be said to be quite lucky.
For this reason, it is halal for Islamic scholars to engage in guarding or hunting unanimously.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
‘Whoever keeps a dog will be deducted two karats per day from the reward of his virtue. However, hunting dogs are an exception.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
‘O Prophet, people ask you which thing is halal for them? Say, “The sacred things have been made lawful for you.”
And the prey of the animals you have taught. Teach them according to the knowledge taught by Allah Ta’ala. (Surat al-Ma’ida: 5)
This verse clearly shows that eating dogs’ prey is halal. And since hunting dogs is halal, keeping dogs is also halal.
Provision for having dogs for entertainment
Nowadays, raising and having fun with dogs has become a fashion. In many non-Muslim families, raising a dog is not considered a cowherd.
But it is Haram to raise a dog without any reason. Undoubtedly a sinful act. Almost all the Imams have agreed that it is Haram.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The angel does not enter the house where the dog or the picture is.’
In another hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
‘Whoever keeps a dog will be deducted two karats per day from the reward of his virtue. However, hunting dogs are an exception. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
Both hadiths prove that it is Haram to keep dogs for useless entertainment. All Muslims must refrain from this act.
Is it Haram to have dogs for espionage?
Different countries’ intelligence agencies have trained dogs to be skilled in intelligence work. These dogs can detect the smell of poisonous or harmful things even from a distance. The rearing and value of this type of dog are increasing daily.
This type of dog is allowed in Islam. We’ve discussed this before. But is it halal to sell trained dogs?
According to most Fuqaha, it is Haram to sell this type of dog. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
‘The price of a dog, the wages of a fortune teller, and the earnings of prostitution are not halal. ‘
However, Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) said that it is halal to sell such dogs. Jabir, Ata, and Ibrahim Nakhai hold the same opinion – Rahimahumullah -.