The Book of Water - Sunan an-Nasa'i 335

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him throw (the contents) away and wash it seven times.'"

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes the ruling concerning purification when a dog's saliva contaminates a vessel. The command to discard the contents indicates the severity of the impurity, as the dog is considered among the najasat al-ghalizah (gross impurities).

The specification of seven washings demonstrates the thoroughness required in purification. The first washing should be with soil, as established in other narrations, followed by six washings with water. This comprehensive cleansing ensures the complete removal of the impurity and its effects.

Scholars have differed regarding whether the seven washings include the initial washing with soil or are in addition to it. The preponderant opinion is that one washing should be with soil and the remaining six with pure water, making seven washings in total.

Legal Rulings Derived

This hadith establishes that dog saliva is ritually impure and requires specific purification procedures. The ruling applies to all vessels, regardless of their material.

The wisdom behind this ruling includes both spiritual purification and physical hygiene, as modern science has confirmed the presence of harmful microorganisms in dog saliva.

If the vessel is dry when licked by a dog, the ruling still applies, as the impurity transfers through moisture. However, if the dog merely touches the vessel without licking it, ordinary washing suffices.