The Book of Adornment - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5348

"I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: 'The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image of an animate being.'"

Commentary on the Prohibition

This noble hadith establishes a profound spiritual reality: the withdrawal of angels from dwellings containing dogs or images of animate beings. The angels, created from light, are repelled by these objects due to their inherent nature conflicting with divine purity.

The prohibition encompasses two distinct matters: first, the keeping of dogs without legitimate need (hunting, guarding livestock, or farming), and second, the possession of images depicting souls (humans, animals). This exclusion of angels means the absence of mercy, blessings, and divine protection from such households.

Scholarly Explanations

Imam an-Nawawi explains that the "images" refer specifically to those possessing shadows - meaning three-dimensional statues - and detailed pictures that imitate Allah's creation. Simple drawings or decorative patterns without complete features may be exempt from this strict prohibition.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani clarifies that the angels' departure is particularly concerning the angels of mercy and revelation, not the recording angels who remain with every human being. The wisdom behind this ruling is to protect the Islamic doctrine of pure monotheism and prevent imitation of disbelieving nations.

Practical Applications

Muslims should avoid keeping dogs as pets without legitimate Islamic excuses. For necessary purposes, dogs should be kept outside living quarters. Regarding images, one should remove detailed photographs and statues of animate beings from prominent display areas, especially prayer spaces.

Children's toys with images are generally permitted due to necessity, but should not be given excessive importance. The ultimate objective is to purify one's dwelling to become a place worthy of angelic visitation and divine blessings.