Dogs hold a special place in many cultures and homes, and this is no different for Muslims. However, there are several questions surrounding the role of dogs in Islam, especially when it comes to keeping them as pets. For reverts who often have a family dog before converting, understanding the Islamic perspective on dogs is essential. This article addresses common concerns regarding dogs, including their status in Islam, the rules about keeping them, and their role in Islamic teachings.
Are Dogs Impure (Najis) in Islam?
One of the most common questions about dogs in Islam is whether they are considered impure (najis). In many Islamic schools of thought, dogs are indeed considered impure, but there are nuances to this ruling.
The Impurity of Dogs (Najis)
According to the majority of scholars, the saliva of a dog is considered impure, and if a dog licks a utensil, it must be washed a certain number of times to purify it. This view is derived from a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“If a dog drinks from the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times.”
— Sahih Muslim, 279c1
Different Views
The four major Sunni schools of thought offer slightly different interpretations on the impurity of dogs:
- Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars maintain that the whole dog is essentially impure, including its body and saliva.2
- Hanafi scholars generally state that only a dog’s saliva, sweat, and waste are impure; the rest of the dog is not.3
- Maliki scholars, in contrast, hold that a living dog is considered pure overall, including its saliva and body.4
Can Dogs Be Kept as Pets?
Now, the big question: Can a dog be kept as a pet in Islam?
General View: Keeping Dogs as Pets
The general Islamic position is that dogs can be kept, but there are several important considerations. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said:
“Whoever keeps a dog, unless it is for hunting, herding, or farming, will lose out on two qirats of reward every day.”
— Sahih Muslim, 1574a5
💡 The term “qirat” here refers to a unit of reward, and its size is compared to the size of Mount Uhud, a mountain near Medina.
This hadith indicates that there is a negative spiritual consequence for keeping a dog without a valid reason. However, there are various opinions among scholars on this matter, especially regarding dogs as pets.
- Opinion 1: Dogs Should Not Be Kept as Pets
Some scholars, including those from the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, believe that dogs should not be kept in the home as pets due to the risk of impurity and the lack of a clear, beneficial purpose. These scholars emphasize that dogs should only be kept for practical reasons such as herding, hunting, or protection and not treated like a pet.6 - Opinion 2: It is Permissible to Keep Dogs for Protection or Other Needs
Other scholars argue that there’s no harm in keeping dogs for purposes such as guarding the house, as hunting dogs, or even as emotional support animals, as long as their presence does not interfere with the practice of the faith (such as leading to neglect of prayer). This is a more lenient view that some reverts find reassuring.7 - Opinion 3: Dogs Can Be Pets if Kept Outside
Some contemporary scholars hold that dogs can be kept as pets, as long as they are not inside the house, particularly in places where prayer is performed. Keeping them outside helps avoid direct contact with the dog’s saliva and reduces the likelihood of contamination in the home.8 - Opinion 4: Dogs Can Be Pets and Kept Inside
Some scholars argue that keeping a dog as an indoor pet or companion is acceptable but one should take care to pray in an area reserved for salah, an area which is cordoned off away from the dog.9
The Angel and Dog Controversy: Will Angels Enter a House with a Dog?
Another common concern is whether angels will enter a home that has a dog in it.
The Hadith About Angels and Dogs
There is a well-known hadith that suggests angels do not enter a house that has a dog in it:
“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, 594910
This has led some to believe that having a dog in the home will prevent angels from entering, which raises concerns for Muslims living with dogs. However, scholars debate the severity and application of this ruling.
- Some say this only applied to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) home and/or only to the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) delivering divine revelation.11
- Some believe it applies only to dogs that are kept indoors and others view it as a symbolic warning about the impurity associated with dogs, rather than a strict prohibition.12
- Others hold that this hadith, which is used to address adab (etiquette/social conduct), is not enough to inform on ‘aqidah (an article of faith) about the angels who are in the world of ghayb (or the unseen), which usually requires hadith ranked mutawatir (cumulative transmission).13
Saving a Dog: A Path to Jannah
Islamic teachings also emphasize kindness to animals, including dogs. One famous hadith mentions that a person can earn Jannah (paradise) for showing mercy to a dog.
The Hadith of the Man Who Saved the Dog
A well-known hadith recounts the story of a man who saved a thirsty dog by giving it water from a well. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, ‘This dog is suffering from thirst as I did.’ So, he went down the well again and filled his shoe with water and watered it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, 246614
This story illustrates the reward for kindness to animals and serves as a reminder that caring for dogs is an act of compassion that can lead to spiritual reward in Islam.
Hunting Dogs: Halal Animals
In Islam, animals that are killed by a trained hunting dog are considered halal to eat, provided that the dog was properly trained and the kill was made in accordance with Islamic guidelines.
The Ruling on Hunting Dogs
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“When you set off your dog and mention Allah’s name over it, eat what it catches for you, even if it kills it, except that the dog has eaten (any of it); if the dog has eaten (any of it), do not eat, for I’m afraid it has caught it only for itself.”
— Sunan Abi Dawud, 284815
This hadith shows that hunting dogs, if trained correctly, can be used to hunt animals that are permissible to eat, which aligns with the broader principle that animals killed by a dog under appropriate circumstances are halal.
Relevant Lectures on Dogs in Islam
For those looking to explore the topic of dogs in Islam further, here are two insightful lectures by respected scholars:
- My Child is Begging Me To Get A Pet Dog…what do I do?!
Speaker: Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi
- Dogs in the Islamic Tradition and the Dog Meat Trade
Speaker: Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl
These lectures provide in-depth discussions on the Islamic perspective of keeping dogs, their purity, and other related matters.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, while there are varying opinions among scholars on keeping dogs as pets, the key factors to consider are the purpose for keeping the dog, its treatment, and the precautions taken regarding cleanliness and religious practices. For reverts with family dogs, it is important to balance these factors while seeking the guidance of knowledgeable scholars to ensure that the dog’s presence does not interfere with your Islamic duties.
💬 Comments
Have a different perspective or a follow-up question?
Share your thoughts below — respectful discussion is always welcome!
References
- Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Hadith 279c, https://sunnah.com/muslim:279c. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Are Dogs Impure?,” IslamQA.info, Fatwa #976, 1998, https://islamqa.info/en/answers/976/are-dogs-impure. ↩︎
- “Ruling on Killing Dogs and Ruling on their Impurity,” Al-Iftaa’ Law (Jordan), Fatwa #3508, 2019, https://www.aliftaa.jo/research-fatwa-english/3508/Does-a-dog-transmit-impurity-Does-touching-a-dog-invalidate-ablution-Is-it-permissible-to. ↩︎
- Al-Iftaa’ Law (Jordan), Fatwa #3508. ↩︎
- Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1574a, https://sunnah.com/muslim:1574a. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Keeping Dogs in Islam: Allowed?,” IslamQA.info, Fatwa #69840, 2005, https://islamqa.info/en/answers/69840/keeping-dogs-in-islam-allowed. ↩︎
- Kamal Badr, “Can We Keep Dogs As Pets?,” AboutIslam.net, 2020, https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/can-keep-dogs-pets/. ↩︎
- Ayoub Banderker, “Please stop cruelty to animals in the name of Islam,” Animal Voice (South Africa), May 2003, p. 9 & 15, https://d91fe348-4a25-4dc0-a30d-96976402b0e1.filesusr.com/ugd/186d0e_5b5e5050cb8a487c9b6d614c8f52fc1b.pdf. ↩︎
- Abou El Fadl, “FATWA: My grown children gave me a wonderful puppy for companionship. I am concerned if my prayers will be accepted if I keep the puppy in my house,” SearchforBeauty.org, 2016, https://www.searchforbeauty.org/2016/12/01/fatwa-my-grown-children-gave-me-a-wonderful-puppy-for-companionship-i-am-concerned-if-my-prayers-will-be-accepted-if-i-keep-the-puppy-in-my-house/. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5949, https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5949. ↩︎
- Shehzad Saleem, “Islamic Views on Keeping Dogs as Pets,” Al-Mawrid UK, YouTube video, 2022, timestamp 2:47, https://youtu.be/vFCkkB7ISrs&t=167. ↩︎
- Hamza Yusuf, “Is Keeping a Pet Dog In House Permissible in Islam,” Khan’s Notes, YouTube video, 2023, https://youtu.be/4hrq8QEK-Hg. ↩︎
- Abou El Fadl, “FATWA: On Hadith regarding Angels not entering homes with dogs and other misconceptions,” SearchforBeauty.org, 2017, https://www.searchforbeauty.org/2017/06/05/fatwa-on-hadith-regarding-angels-not-entering-homes-with-dogs-and-other-misconceptions/. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2466, https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2466. ↩︎
- Abu Dawood, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 2848, https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2848. ↩︎