Dogs in Islam: keeping, cleanliness, and kindness

Many people come to Islam from homes where a dog is part of the family. So one of the first questions new Muslims ask is: what does Islam say about dogs? This lesson walks you through three things, calmly: when keeping a dog is allowed, how to stay clean after contact with a dog, and the kindness Islam asks you to show every animal. If you have a dog right now, take a breath. Nothing here is meant to frighten you.

When keeping a dog is allowed

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, named the kinds of dogs a person may keep. The Companion Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said:

"Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for hunting or for guarding livestock, his deeds will be reduced by two Qirāts every day." Sālim said: Abu Hurayrah, who had a farm, used to say: "Or a farm dog."

Sahih al-Bukhari 5481 and Sahih Muslim 1574 (agreed upon)

A qirat is a measure of reward known to Allah (the Arabic word for God, the One God). From this hadith (a saying of the Prophet), scholars teach the following:

• Scholars report agreement that a dog should not be kept without a real need, for example only as a pet.

• Dogs for hunting, for guarding livestock, and for guarding farms are allowed, because the hadith names them.

• The majority of scholars also allow a guard dog for a home when there is a real need for protection, by comparing it to the dogs named in the hadith.

• Scholars also allow dogs for other real needs, such as a guide dog for a person who is blind, or dogs that help find drugs or catch thieves.

Staying clean after contact with a dog

The majority of scholars hold that a dog's saliva is najis (ritually impure). This means it must be washed off before you pray in that clothing or on that spot. Their evidence is this hadith, reported by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him:

"When a dog drinks from the vessel of any of you, let him wash it seven times." In a version by Muslim: "the first of which is with dust."

Sahih al-Bukhari 172 and Sahih Muslim 279 (agreed upon)

Here is what this means in daily life, following the majority view:

What about simply touching a dog? If the dog and your hand are both dry, nothing needs washing. If the dog's fur or body is wet, many scholars say to wash the spot the same way, seven times with one wash using soil, to be on the safe side.

Some scholars, mainly of the Maliki school (one of the four main schools of Islamic law), hold that a dog's saliva is not impure. This lesson follows the majority view described above.

Kindness to every animal

None of this means dogs are bad. Islam asks for mercy toward all animals. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told of a man who was walking on a road and became very thirsty. He climbed down into a well and drank. When he came out, he saw a dog panting and eating wet earth from thirst. He went back down, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth as he climbed up, and gave the dog a drink. Allah accepted his deed and forgave him. The Companions asked whether there is reward in caring for animals. He answered:

Feeding a hungry dog, giving water to a stray, and treating any animal gently are good deeds you can hope to be rewarded for.

If you already have a dog

Many new Muslims face this, and there is no need to panic. You have not lost your Islam, and you do not have to decide anything today.

• Keep caring for your dog kindly while you work out the next step. Never abandon or neglect it.

• Ask a local scholar or imam about your situation. A real need, such as protection or a disability, may make keeping it allowed.

• If your dog is only a pet, the majority view is that it should not stay with you. Take your time to find it a loving new home, for example with a relative, a friend, or a trusted rescue group.

• Until then, keep it out of the room where you pray, and clean any saliva the way you learned above.

Next, you will look at another common question: what to do when your family celebrates the holidays of another faith.

Scholars hold more than one view on this question. This lesson presents the view held by the majority of scholars. If you are unsure what applies to you, ask a trusted scholar or the imam at your local masjid.