What should a Muslim do if he touches a dog? - briefly
If a Muslim touches a dog, they are required to wash the affected area with water or perform tayammum (dry ablution) using clean earth or sand. This is necessary before continuing with any religious practice that requires purity, such as prayer.
What should a Muslim do if he touches a dog? - in detail
In Islamic law, the touch of a dog is considered impure and requires specific actions for purification. If a Muslim touches a dog, they should follow these steps to restore their state of ritual purity:
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Wash the affected area: Immediately after touching a dog, the person should wash the part of the body that came into contact with the animal. This includes hands, arms, or any other body part.
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Perform Wudu (ablution): After washing the affected area, the Muslim should perform Wudu, which involves washing specific parts of the body in a particular order. This includes washing the face, hands up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet up to the ankles.
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Perform Ghusl (full body wash): If the dog licked or touched a part of the body that is normally covered, such as the private parts or the inside of the clothing, then a full body wash, known as Ghusl, is required. This involves washing the entire body with water.
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Change clothes: It is recommended to change the clothes that were in contact with the dog's saliva or fur. If changing clothes is not possible, then washing the affected area of the clothing is necessary.
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Prayer mats and shoes: If the dog touched or licked prayer mats, shoes, or other items used for worship, these should be washed thoroughly before they can be used again.
These steps ensure that the Muslim maintains a state of ritual purity, which is essential for performing prayers and other religious duties. It is important to note that while dogs are considered impure in Islamic law, they are not inherently evil. Muslims are encouraged to treat all animals with kindness and compassion.