Hadith Text & Reference

"The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) prohibited the price of a dog, the earnings of a fornicator (from fornication), and the payment made to the fortune-teller."

Source: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2071 | Book: Chapters on Medicine | Author: Jami' at-Tirmidhi

Prohibition of Dog's Price

The scholars explain this prohibition applies to all dogs except those used for permissible purposes like hunting, guarding livestock, or farming. The impurity and danger dogs may carry, along with their general prohibition as pets in Islam, makes their sale unlawful.

Imam An-Nawawi states this prohibition extends to all transactions involving dogs, as their keeping is generally forbidden except for specific necessities.

Earnings from Fornication

This refers to money earned directly through unlawful sexual relations. Scholars emphasize this prohibition includes all income derived from haram sexual activities, as it represents earnings from one of the gravest sins in Islam.

Ibn Qudamah explains such earnings are completely void and impure, and consuming them constitutes disobedience to Allah. The prohibition serves to discourage fornication by removing its financial incentives.

Payment to Fortune-Tellers

This prohibition encompasses all forms of payment for divination, astrology, or any claim to knowledge of the unseen. Since fortune-telling involves shirk (associating partners with Allah) and deception, any transaction related to it is invalid.

Al-Qurtubi notes that fortune-tellers falsely claim knowledge that belongs exclusively to Allah, making their profession fundamentally unlawful. Paying them supports falsehood and misguidance.

Legal Rulings & Wisdom

These prohibitions fall under the Islamic principle of blocking the means to evil (sadd al-dhara'i). By prohibiting financial benefit from these sources, Islam removes economic incentives for sinful behavior.

Scholars agree that wealth acquired through these means is impure and must be disposed of. One should repent and purify their wealth by giving equivalent amount in charity without intention of reward.

The comprehensive wisdom behind these prohibitions protects society's moral fabric and ensures economic activities remain pure and pleasing to Allah.