"The Messenger of Allah said:' whoever keeps a dog except one that is trained for hunting or a dog for herding livestock, two Qirats will be deducted from his reward each day."
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever keeps a dog except one that is trained for hunting or a dog for herding livestock, two Qirats will be deducted from his reward each day.'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4286 | The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering
Meaning of Key Terms
Qirat: A measure of reward in the Hereafter. Scholars explain it represents a substantial portion, like a great mountain of reward.
Trained for hunting: Dogs specifically trained to retrieve hunted game for lawful consumption.
Herding livestock: Dogs used for protecting and managing sheep, cattle, or other lawful animals.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the general prohibition of keeping dogs without legitimate need. The deduction of reward indicates the gravity of maintaining dogs unnecessarily within one's household.
The exceptions demonstrate Islam's practicality: hunting dogs aid in obtaining lawful sustenance, while herding dogs protect valuable property. Both serve legitimate human needs.
Scholars emphasize that the prohibition applies primarily to keeping dogs inside homes where angels may not enter. Dogs kept outdoors for legitimate purposes don't incur this penalty.
Legal Rulings & Applications
The majority of scholars hold this ruling applies to dogs kept without necessity, particularly inside dwellings.
Modern applications include guard dogs for businesses or farms, police dogs, and service animals for disabled persons - all falling under legitimate needs.
The wisdom behind this ruling includes maintaining purity in homes, preventing harm, and reserving affection for what benefits one's faith and worldly affairs.