Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come) and later on he said, "We, angels, do not enter a house which contains a picture or a dog."
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3227
This narration from the authentic collection of Imam al-Bukhari addresses the spiritual purity of dwellings and the prohibition of images and dogs within Muslim households.
Commentary on the Delay of Angelic Visit
The delay of Gabriel's promised visit teaches us that angels operate according to divine command and are restricted by spiritual conditions. Their absence indicates impediments to divine blessings.
This incident demonstrates the Prophet's humility in awaiting revelation and shows how Allah teaches His Messenger through practical examples rather than mere theoretical instruction.
Prohibition of Images in Dwellings
Angels avoid houses containing images due to the association with idolatry and the imitation of Allah's creative act. This prohibition preserves tawhid (divine unity) and prevents spiritual corruption.
Scholars distinguish between images that cast shadows (fully prohibited) and those that do not, with the strictest prohibition applying to images of animate beings that are honored or worshipped.
Ruling Concerning Dogs
The prohibition applies to keeping dogs unnecessarily indoors, as angels are repelled by their presence. Exceptions exist for hunting dogs, guard dogs for crops/livestock, and service dogs.
This ruling stems from the spiritual purity angels require and the hygienic concerns associated with dogs, as their saliva is considered impure in Islamic law.
Practical Implications
Muslims should maintain spiritual purity in their homes by removing prohibited images and avoiding unnecessary keeping of dogs to ensure angelic presence and divine blessings.
The hadith emphasizes the connection between physical environment and spiritual reality, teaching that our surroundings affect our relationship with the divine realm.