Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Showing mercy to animals
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man suffered from thirst while he was walking on a journey. When he found a well, he climbed down into it and drank from it. Then he came out and saw a dog lolling its tongue from thirst and licking the ground. The man said: This dog has suffered thirst just as I have suffered from it. He climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and caught it in his mouth as he climbed up. Then he gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated his deed, so He forgave him.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?” He replied, “Yes, in every creature with a moist liver is a reward for charity.” [Sahih Bukhari]
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Question and Answer:
- Q. Does touching a dog make you unclean to the point that you cannot read salaah?
Can you read salaah in a house with a dog? The family keeps the house very clean, however, the dog is allowed to walk everywhere.
(Question published as received)
- Touching a dog does not make a person impure. If there was a transferral of wetness (mucus or saliva) from the dog onto a person or their clothing, that area would be impure and require washing.
Salaah is permitted in a house in which there is a dog. However, the presence of a dog in the home deprives the home of Divine mercy and continuously diminishes one’s Thawaab (reward in the hereafter).
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has stated, “The angels (of mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture of a living creature.” (Bukhari 3225)
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has also stated, “Whoever keeps a dog, except a guard dog or a shepherd dog, will lose one Qeerat* of reward daily.” (Bukhari 2322)
*A Qeerat is the equivalent of a huge mountain. (Bukhari 1325)
Dogs cannot be kept as pets in the home. A guard dog can be kept in the yard outside the home.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Moosa Salie
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
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