Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If somebody keeps a dog, he loses one Qirat (of the reward) of his good deeds everyday, except if he keeps it for the purpose of agriculture or for the protection of livestock. "
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3324
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If somebody keeps a dog, he loses one Qirat (of the reward) of his good deeds everyday, except if he keeps it for the purpose of agriculture or for the protection of livestock."
Commentary on the Prohibition
This hadith establishes the general prohibition of keeping dogs without legitimate need. The reduction of one Qirat from one's good deeds serves as a spiritual deterrent, emphasizing that unnecessary companionship with dogs diminishes divine reward.
Scholars explain that angels of mercy do not enter homes containing dogs, as they are naturally pure beings who avoid impurity. The dog's saliva is considered najis (ritually impure), and their presence may disrupt the spiritual atmosphere of a Muslim household.
Permissible Exceptions
The Prophet (ﷺ) specified two exceptions: dogs used for agriculture (such as guarding crops) and livestock protection (guarding sheep, cattle, etc.). Later scholars extended this to include hunting dogs and security dogs for protecting property.
These exceptions demonstrate Islam's practical approach - recognizing legitimate human needs while maintaining spiritual principles. The benefit (maslaha) derived from these working dogs outweighs the general prohibition.
Understanding Qirat
A Qirat represents a substantial measure of reward, likened by scholars to a great mountain like Uhud. This significant reduction highlights the seriousness of unnecessarily keeping dogs.
The daily reduction serves as continuous reminder of the spiritual consequences, encouraging Muslims to reconsider their need for such companionship and prioritize their spiritual development.
Practical Implementation
When keeping dogs for permissible purposes, they should be maintained outside living quarters. Their areas should be kept separate from prayer spaces and food preparation areas to maintain ritual purity.
Muslims should regularly assess whether their need for the dog continues to meet the exceptional criteria, avoiding emotional attachment that might lead to keeping dogs beyond legitimate necessity.