In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Are Dogs Halal? The question of whether dogs are halal (allowed) in Islam addresses a number of topics, such as cleanliness, companionship, and consumption. To comprehend the Islamic viewpoint on dogs, let us take a closer look at these topics.
Is the consumption of Dogs meat halal?
Islam has precise rules regarding what is haram (forbidden) and what is halal when it comes to dietary regulations. Specific guidelines regarding what foods are acceptable and unacceptable are found in the Quran and Hadith.
In terms of consumption, dog meat is considered haram. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly forbade the consumption of animals with fangs and claws. This is supported by a hadith reported by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade the eating of beasts of prey with fangs and birds of prey with talons.” (Sahih Muslim 1934a)
Keeping Dogs as Pets in Islam:
The legality of owning dogs as pets is a different story. Islam places a strong emphasis on purity and cleanliness, and there are particular laws pertaining to dogs in this regard.
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
He who kept a dog except one meant for watching the herd or for hunting or for watching the fields. He lost two qirat of reward every day. Zuhri said: The words of Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) were conveyed to Ibn Umar, who said: May Allah have mercy upon Abu Huraira; he owned a field. Sahih Muslim 1575b
- Purpose of Keeping Dogs:
- Guarding and Hunting: It is permissible to keep dogs for legitimate purposes such as guarding property, hunting, and herding livestock.
- Service Dogs in Islam: Because of their necessity and advantages, modern applications for service dogs include the keeping of dogs to help the disabled (such as guide dogs for the blind).
- Cleanliness and Ritual Purity in Islam:
- Impurity (Najasa): The saliva of dogs is considered impure (najis) in Islam. If a dog licks a utensil, it must be washed thoroughly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If a dog licks a vessel belonging to any of you, let him throw away whatever was in it and wash it seven times.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Interaction: Muslims are encouraged to maintain cleanliness, particularly for prayer. If a dog’s saliva touches your skin or clothes, it is recommended to cleanse the affected area before performing Salah (prayer).
Conclusion:
Dogs are regarded as haram to eat and are not halal for consumption. Nonetheless, it is acceptable to keep dogs for specialized uses like protection, hunting, herding, or as assistance animals. Maintaining hygiene and adhering to Islamic principles are crucial when working with dogs.
May Allah guide us to make choices that are in accordance with His commandments and grant us the wisdom to understand and follow the principles of halal in our daily lives.
I hope this explanation provides clarity on the Islamic perspective regarding dogs. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, comment down.
