Keeping Dogs & puppies as pets

 

Nasihah (Advice): Keeping Dogs & puppies as pets

 

Ibn Abbas Radhiyallahu Anhu reports from Maimoona Radhiyallahu Anha that once Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam became sad; and said that Jibra’eel Alayhis Salaam promised to meet Him at night but did not turn up. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “By Allah what has kept him back,” Then he realised a puppy was under his bed. He ordered that the puppy be removed and the area be sprinkled with water. In the afternoon when Jibra’eel Alayhis Salaam came, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam enquired as to the delay. Jibra’eel Alayhis Salaam said, “We, the group of Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or pictures (of animate objects)”. (Muslim)

 

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Question and Answer:

 

1. What is the Shariah ruling of keeping a dog/puppy as a pet as I have witnessed many Muslims keeping dogs/puppies as pets? Kindly advise?

 

(Question published as received)

 

 

1. It is not permissible to keep dogs/puppies as pets. In doing so, one’s household will be deprived of the Mercy and blessings of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam said:

لاَ تَدْخُلُ المَلاَئِكَةُ بَيْتًا فِيهِ كَلْبٌ وَلاَ صُورَةٌ

“Angels do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or an animate picture” (Bukhari)

However, if a dog is kept for a valid reason, for e.g. a dog is kept for security, farming and hunting purposes, it will be permissible to kept a dog under certain limitations and restrictions. (Shaami)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

 

Confirmation:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai