Is it permissible to have a dog in the house according to Islam? - briefly
According to Islamic law, dogs are generally considered impure (najis) and their saliva is also deemed najis. Therefore, keeping a dog inside the house is not permissible unless it is for a specific purpose such as hunting, guarding, or farming, and even then, certain precautions must be taken to maintain cleanliness.
Is it permissible to have a dog in the house according to Islam? - in detail
The permissibility of keeping dogs as pets within Islamic households is a subject of debate among scholars, with varying opinions based on different interpretations of Islamic texts.
Islam generally views dogs as impure animals. According to hadith literature, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised against keeping dogs in the house. In one narration, he stated that angels do not enter a home where there is a dog. This belief stems from the idea that dogs are considered ritually unclean due to their habit of licking themselves and other substances.
However, it's important to note that this advice pertains specifically to the context of maintaining ritual purity for prayer and other religious practices. The Quran itself does not explicitly prohibit keeping dogs as pets, and there are instances in Islamic history where prominent figures kept dogs for companionship or hunting purposes.
Scholars who permit the keeping of dogs generally do so with certain conditions:
- Purpose: The dog should serve a valid purpose, such as guarding the home, assisting with farm work, or providing companionship to an elderly person living alone.
- Cleanliness: The dog and its surroundings must be kept clean to prevent the spread of impurity. This includes regular bathing of the dog and ensuring that it does not come into contact with areas where people pray or eat.
- Hygiene: Owners should take precautions to maintain their own hygiene, such as washing hands after touching the dog and avoiding direct physical contact during prayer times.
In conclusion, while there is no explicit Quranic prohibition against keeping dogs, the matter is largely guided by hadith literature and scholarly interpretations. Those who choose to keep dogs should adhere to the conditions outlined above to maintain ritual purity and cleanliness within the household.