Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle." Abu Huraira (in another narration) said from the Prophet, "unless it is used for guarding sheep or farms, or for hunting." Narrated Abu Hazim from Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A dog for guarding cattle or for hunting."
Hadith Commentary: Agriculture & Animal Guardianship
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2322) addresses the Islamic ruling concerning keeping dogs and the wisdom behind the prohibition and its exceptions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes a general principle that keeping a dog without legitimate need results in a decrease of one Qirat from one's good deeds daily.
The General Prohibition & Its Wisdom
The deduction of reward serves as a spiritual deterrent from keeping dogs as mere pets or for unnecessary purposes. Classical scholars explain this is because angels do not enter a house containing a dog, and because dogs are naturally considered ritually imparent (najis) in Islamic law. The loss of spiritual reward corresponds to the spiritual consequences of cohabitating with this impurity.
Permissible Exceptions: Agriculture & Livestock
The hadith explicitly permits keeping dogs for three essential purposes: guarding farms, guarding livestock (such as sheep and cattle), and hunting. These exceptions demonstrate Islam's practical recognition of human needs in agriculture and sustenance. A dog used for protecting crops from animals or guarding herds from predators serves a vital economic and survival function.
Scholarly Interpretation of "Qirat"
Scholars differ on the exact measure of a "Qirat." Some interpret it as a mountain-sized portion of reward, while others see it as a significant but unspecified amount. The important principle is that unnecessary dog ownership carries tangible spiritual consequences, encouraging Muslims to reconsider keeping animals without beneficial purpose.
Practical Application in Modern Context
This ruling extends to modern equivalents: security dogs for business premises, police or military dogs, and guide dogs for the blind are generally permitted by contemporary scholars as they serve necessary functions similar to guarding. The core principle remains: any legitimate need that justifies keeping a dog makes it permissible without spiritual penalty.