"The Messenger of Allah said: 'whoever keeps a dog, two Qirats will be detracted from his reward each day, except a trained hunting dog, or a dog for herding livestock."
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'whoever keeps a dog, two Qirats will be detracted from his reward each day, except a trained hunting dog, or a dog for herding livestock.'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4284 | The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering
Meaning of Qirat
A Qirat is a measure of reward in the Hereafter. Scholars explain it represents a substantial portion of heavenly reward, like a great mountain in size. The deduction signifies a significant spiritual loss for unnecessary dog ownership.
General Prohibition & Wisdom
The default ruling prohibits keeping dogs without legitimate need due to angels avoiding homes with dogs and ritual impurity concerns. This preserves household purity and encourages compassion by preventing neglect of animals without purpose.
Permissible Exceptions
Hunting Dogs: Specifically trained for lawful game, following Islamic slaughter guidelines when catching prey.
Herding Dogs: Used for protecting livestock like sheep, goats, or cattle from predators.
Farming Dogs: Some scholars extend permission to dogs guarding crops or property.
Scholarly Conditions
Permissible dogs must serve genuine needs, not mere companionship. They should be kept outdoors when possible, properly maintained, and not allowed to contaminate living areas. The deduction applies only to unnecessary keeping after awareness of this ruling.