675. Can I Keep Dog As A Pet?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It's not allowed for Muslims to keep dogs as pets except for guarding, hunting or other specific purposes. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"Whoever keeps a dog, his good deeds will decrease every day by one qeeraat (meaning a very large portion), unless it is a dog for herding sheep, farming or hunting." (al-Bukhaari 2322)

In another hadeeth he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding livestock or a dog that is trained for hunting, TWO qiraats will be deducted from his reward each day.” (al-Bukhaari 5059, Muslim 2941)

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam also said:

“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” (Ibn Maajah -- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“With regard to keeping dogs, this is haraam and is in fact a major sin, because the one who keeps a dog, except those for which an exception has been made, will have two qiraats deducted from his reward every day.” (Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, 4/241)

*What if a dog touches me*?

If we pet a dog or the dog sniffs or  touches us, it’s not necessarily a problem. 

That’s because the dog itself is not considered naajis .

It’s the dog’s saliva. 

So as long as the dog’s saliva doesn't get in contact with you, it wouldn’t necessarily be impure. 

The saliva of the dog is what's considered najis,  so if the dog LICKS you or your clothes etc or somehow his saliva gets on you then you have to wash that part seven times, one time of which you have to wash with dust. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times, one of which should be with earth.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

The word 'vessel' is mentioned here but the ulama say that it's just an example and they draw their analogy with this word. 

Sheikh Sulaymaan al-Isaa, professor at al-Imaam University in Riyadh said:

“A Muslim should not play with dogs. 

The saliva of a dog is impure (najas). 

The way to remove this impurity is to wash the affected are seven times, one time with dirt. 

It does not matter whether the contaminated area is a dish, an article of clothing, or the skin. 

A person who comes in contact with the saliva of a dog must purify the affected area correctly in order for him to be able to perform prayers.”

*How do we wash clothes with dust*?

Just like we 'wash' our hands and faces with dust while doing Tayammum. :)

In case dust is not available then we can use soap or some other alternative. 

And Allaah knows best

674. Women Are Strictly Prohibited To Wear Perfume

 By Asma bint Shameem 

SISTERS PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!*

Alhamdulillaah it’s Friday and you're going to the masjid for Jumu’ah prayers. 

That’s fine. 

But just make sure not to wear any perfume. 

Why is that, you ask?

Because when women go out, they’re strictly prohibited to wear perfume. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“If any one of you (women) goes out to the masjid, let her not *touch any perfume*.” (Muslim)

*So what’s wrong with it?*

*1. Allaah will not accept her prayer*!*

One time a woman passed by Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu and her scent was overpowering. 

He said, 

“O female servant of the Almighty, are you going to the masjid?” 

She said, 

“Yes,” 

He said, 

“And have you put on perfume because of that?” 

She said, 

“Yes.” 

He said, 

“ *Go back and wash yourself*, for I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say: 

‘ *If a woman comes out to the masjid and her fragrance is overpowering*, *Allaah will not accept any prayer from her until she goes home and washes herself*.’” (Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah- Hasan by al-Albaani)

Just imagine! 

The Sahaabah would send the women BACK and not let them attend the prayer if they were wearing perfume!

 *She’s called an adulteress *!

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“ *Any woman who puts on perfume then passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress*.” 

(Ahmad and al-Nasaa’i — hasan by al-Albaani)

An *adulteress*?! 

Yaa Allaah! Astaghfirullaah!

*It’s not just the Jumu’ah prayer* 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“ *Any woman who has scented herself with bakhoor (incense), let her not attend ‘Ishaa’ prayers with us*.” (Muslim)

*Why is it prohibited*?

Women shouldn’t wear perfume and go to the masjid or any public place where there’s exposure to 

non-mahram men because it’s a very strong form of attraction and goes against the conditions of hijaab. 

*BUT* if the fragrance is very light and no one can really smell you, or you’re amongst women only or there aren't any non-mahrams around, then there’s nothing wrong with wearing perfume. 

And of course if you’re at home with your husband, do use perfume as much as you like!

*But I will smell bad!*

You will NOT smell bad if you 

-take a shower before you go 

-make sure your underarms are shaved and clean 

-use deodorant 

-wear freshly washed clothes and abaayah

If you do all of the above, there will be absolutely NO bad smell! Guaranteed!

*So all you sisters out there!*

Go to the masjid for Salaah by all means. and may Allaah accept from you. 

Just be careful to stay away from using any kind of perfume or fragrance. 

And Allaah knows best

673. It’s Not Allowed For A Woman To Wear Niqaab Or Gloves While In The State Of Ihraam

By Asma Bint Shameem

 It’s not allowed for a woman to wear niqaab or gloves while in the state of ihraam. 

A man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, what clothes do you command us to wear in ihraam?” 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: 

“Do not wear shirts, pants or any kind of headgear… and women in ihraam should not wear niqaab or gloves.”

(al-Bukhaari, 1741)

However that does not mean that women who wear niqaab should go around exposing their faces and hands to non mahram men. 

Rather we should use anything else to cover the face.  

The Sahaabiyaat would lower their head scarf and cover their faces from the non mahrams. 

Our Mother Aaishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“The riders would pass by us when we were in ihraam with the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam.

When they came in line with us, one of us would lower her jilbab from the top of her head over her face, then when they had passed us, we would uncover our faces.”

(Abu Dawood 1833; saheeh by al-Albaani in Risaalat Jilbaab al-Mar’ah)

If someone does anything that’s prohibited while in Ihraam, there are three possible scenarios. 

- they didn’t know the ruling or forgot about it or they were forced to do it. 

Then there’s no sin and nothing needs to be done. 

-they knew the ruling but had a valid reason to do it. 

Here they have to offer the expiation but there’s no sin on them. 

-they knew about the ruling but did it even though there was no valid reason. 

In this situation they should offer expiation and they are sinful. 

But the umrah/hajj is valid. 

The expiation is either fasting for three days, or feeding six poor persons among the poor of the Haram, or slaughtering a sheep in the Haram.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen explains this in detail.

He said:

“If a person in ihraam does any of the things that are forbidden, such as having intercourse, killing game, etc, then one of the following three scenarios must apply: 

1. He *forgot or was unaware of the ruling*, or he was *forced* or he was *asleep*. 

In that case he does not have to do anything. 

There is no sin on him and he does not have to offer the expiation, and his pilgrimage is still valid, because Allaah says:

“Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Mawlaa (Patron, Supporter and Protector) and give us victory over the disbelieving people”

[al-Baqarah 2:286] 

And Allaah says:

“And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Ahzaab 33:5]

2 . He did the forbidden action *deliberately* but for a *valid reason* that makes it permissible. 

In that case he has to do what is required in the event of committing a forbidden action (i.e., offer the expiation) but there is no sin on him, because Allaah says:

“And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad), the Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allaah. But if you are prevented (from completing them), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e. a sheep, a cow, or a camel) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice. And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either observing Sawm (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity — feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep)”

[al-Baqarah 2:196].

3 .He did the forbidden action *deliberately but with no valid reason* that makes it permissible. 

In this case he has to do what is required in the event of committing a forbidden action (i.e., offer the expiation) and there is sin on him. 

(Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah, Ch. 5, Mahdhooraat al-Ihraam).

And Allaah knows best.

672. Refrain From Lying

 By Asma Bint Shameem

Lying is a major sin yet people take it so lightly. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Refrain from lying. For lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. 

A person will keep telling lies and trying hard to lie, until he is *recorded with Allaah as a liar.*" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Astaghfirullaah imagine being known to Allaah as a liar!

Lying is a sign of hypocrisy. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is entrusted with something he breaks that trust." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

We can’t even lie in a joke!

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’” 

(at-Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud)

I can go on and on. 

The ahaadeeth are many. 

So we as Muslims can never lie unless under very specific or severe situations,  for example: 

-when life is in danger

- when we want to reconcile among people, 

- during war and 

- when a husband or wife want to please each other.

Umm Kalthoom Radhi Allah anhaa said that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

"He is not a liar who reconciles between people, conveying good messages and saying good things." 

She said: 

“I did not hear him grant any concession concerning anything that the people say of lies except in three cases: reconciling between people, war, and what a man says to his wife, or a woman says to her husband.”

 (Muslim)

So unless it’s your spouse, or it’s to save someone’s life or during war strategy etc., you cannot lie. 

If someone asks you a sensitive question that will make them sad or hurt them if you tell them the truth, then try and use words that double entendres. 

Double entendres is when you mean something other than the apparent meaning of the words or using phrases that are true but hide the reality. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“Double entendre refers to when a person means something other than the apparent meaning of the words. 

It is permissible subject to two conditions:  

1. that the word may be interpreted in that fashion

2. that there be no wrongdoing involved.”

So if someone asks you “Did you like my food?” You can say “Alhamdulillaah! Jazaak Allaah Khair sister I really appreciate it. You must have worked so hard to cook it. May Allaah reward you.”

And that would satisfy them. 

And if someone says “Am I pretty?” 

You can say lovingly “You know the most beautiful thing I like about you is your smile” or “your eyes” or “you’re so kind hearted” or whatever it is that you think is the best thing about them. 

And that will make them happy. 

So be smart and wise and use words that are true yet can be taken in a good way and not hurt them. 

And Allaah knows best