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