Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3322

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Angels do not enter a house that has either a dog or a picture in it."

Commentary on the Prohibition

This hadith establishes two significant prohibitions that prevent the entry of angels into dwellings: keeping dogs without legitimate need and displaying images of animate beings. The angels referred to here are specifically the angels of mercy and divine blessings, not the recording angels who accompany humans continuously.

Concerning dogs, scholars distinguish between necessary purposes (hunting, guarding livestock, farming) and mere companionship. The former is permitted while the latter is discouraged. As for images, the prohibition applies particularly to representations of beings possessing souls (humans, animals), as this imitates Allah's creative act and was a practice of idolatrous communities.

Scholarly Explanations

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that angels withdraw from impurity and from what resembles the practices of polytheists. Dogs are naturally impure in their saliva, while images recall the idolatry of past nations.

Imam al-Nawawi states in Sharh Sahih Muslim that the prohibition of images is strongest for those displayed honorably, while images on carpets, pillows, or coins that are tread upon are less severe. The wisdom behind this prohibition includes preventing distraction during prayer and avoiding resemblance to the Creator's exclusive power of giving life.

Practical Implications

Scholars advise that if one must keep a dog for legitimate purposes, it should be kept outside the main living quarters. Regarding images, they should be removed from places where prayers are offered or where angels customarily enter. Photographs necessary for identification documents are generally permitted by contemporary scholars due to necessity.

The absence of angels means deprivation of their prayers for the inhabitants, their supplications for forgiveness, and the spiritual atmosphere they bring. Thus, Muslims should strive to create homes worthy of angelic visitation through obedience to these guidelines.