"If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times, the first time with dust."
The Book of Water - Sunan an-Nasa'i 339
"If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times, the first time with dust."
Textual Analysis
This hadith establishes a specific purification procedure when a dog's saliva contaminates a vessel. The command is emphatic ("let him wash") and specifies both the number of washings and the unique requirement of using dust in the first washing.
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The majority of scholars consider this ruling obligatory (wajib), not merely recommended. The vessel becomes ritually impure (najis) through the dog's lick and requires this specific purification method before it can be used for drinking, eating, or worship purposes.
Wisdom Behind the Ruling
Scholars note that this ruling demonstrates divine wisdom in preserving human health, as modern medicine has confirmed the presence of harmful microorganisms in canine saliva. The requirement for dust in the first washing serves to effectively remove impurities that water alone may not eliminate.
Methodological Details
The seven washings must be consecutive. The first washing must include pure dust or earth mixed with water. The subsequent six washings are with pure water. The vessel is considered purified only after completing all seven washings in the prescribed manner.
Scope of Application
This ruling applies specifically to vessels used for food and drink. Scholars differ regarding whether it extends to other items touched by dog's saliva, with most limiting it to the vessel mentioned in the hadith text.