Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If someone keeps a dog neither for guarding livestock, nor for hunting, his good deeds will decrease (in reward) by two Qirats a day.'
Hadith Text and Context
The noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 5482 states: "If someone keeps a dog neither for guarding livestock, nor for hunting, his good deeds will decrease (in reward) by two Qirats a day." This teaching comes under the chapter of Hunting and Slaughtering in Imam al-Bukhari's seminal collection.
Meaning of Qirat
A Qirat represents a substantial measure of reward in the Islamic tradition. Scholars explain that two Qirats equate to a mountain like Uhud in magnitude of good deeds. This severe reduction emphasizes the gravity of keeping dogs without legitimate need in Islamic law.
Permissible Exceptions
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly excluded two categories: hunting dogs and livestock guardian dogs. Later scholars extended this to include security dogs, police dogs, and service dogs for the blind or disabled, recognizing similar legitimate needs in contemporary contexts.
Wisdom Behind the Prohibition
Scholars mention several wisdoms: preventing harm from dog saliva and impurities, avoiding disturbance to angels who dislike dogs, discouraging imitation of non-Muslim practices, and preventing attachment to animals over human relationships. The ruling aims to preserve spiritual purity and social harmony.
Practical Application
This hadith does not mandate getting rid of existing pets immediately but encourages gradually finding alternative arrangements. For those with legitimate needs, proper Islamic etiquette should be observed, including keeping dogs outside living areas and purifying any contaminated vessels.