The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim 279d

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The purification of the utensil belonging to any one of you, after it is licked by a dog, lies in washing it seven times, using sand for the first time."

Scholarly Commentary

This noble hadith establishes the method of purifying vessels defiled by a dog's saliva. The consensus among scholars is that a dog's saliva is najis (ritually impure) and requires this specific purification process.

The seven washings indicate the severity of this impurity. The first washing must include soil or dust mixed with water, as soil possesses purifying qualities that water alone lacks for this specific impurity. The remaining six washings may be with pure water alone.

This ruling applies to all containers regardless of material - be they clay, metal, or glass. The wisdom behind using soil in the first washing lies in its ability to break down the oily secretion in a dog's mouth that water cannot effectively remove alone.

Scholars differ regarding whether the order of washings is obligatory or recommended, though the predominant opinion considers the soil-based first washing essential for validity. This teaching demonstrates Islam's comprehensive approach to hygiene and spiritual purity.