Maimunah, wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) reported him as saying: Gabriel (peace be upon him) promised to visit me last night, but he did not visit me. Then it occurred to him that there was a pup under his bed. So he ordered and it was turned out. He then got water in his hand and sprinkled it on its place. When Gabriel (ﷺ) met him, he said: We do not enter a house which contains a dog or a picture. When the morning came, the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered to kill dogs. He ordered to kill the dog which guarded a small orchard, and left the dog which guarded the big orchard.
Hadith Text & Context
From Sunan Abi Dawud 4157, Book of Clothing (Kitab Al-Libas): Maimunah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said Gabriel promised to visit but did not, due to a pup under his bed. After removing it and sprinkling water, Gabriel explained angels don't enter houses with dogs or images. The Prophet then ordered certain dogs killed.
Angelic Presence & Purity
Angels, particularly Gabriel, avoid places with spiritual impurities. Dogs are considered najis (ritually impure) in Islamic law, and their presence prevents angels from entering. The sprinkling of water signifies purification of the space where the dog had been.
Images of animate beings are prohibited as they may lead to idolatry or distract from Allah's unique creative power. Thus, both dogs and images create barriers to divine blessings through angelic visitation.
Legal Rulings on Dogs
The command to kill dogs was initially general but was later specified by other hadiths. Scholars distinguish between permissible dogs (hunting, guarding livestock, farming) and prohibited ones (pets without benefit). The exception for orchard guards shows utility determines permissibility.
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi ruled only harmful or useless dogs may be killed, while beneficial ones are permitted. Maliki and Hanafi schools are more lenient, allowing dogs for protection and farming purposes.
Spiritual Implications
This hadith emphasizes maintaining spiritual purity in homes to attract divine mercy. The presence of angels brings blessings, knowledge, and protection. Muslims are encouraged to keep homes free from prohibited items to facilitate this spiritual connection.
The incident demonstrates the Prophet's meticulous attention to divine guidance and his immediate implementation of revelations, serving as a model for Muslims in responding to religious instructions.