Dogs Haram?

[roleary]

Or rather, is the owner ship of dogs Haram?
I can think of multiple reasons, based upon interpretation of hadith regarding the holy prophet (pbuh) and his companions, along with quranic revelation, that would suggest otherwise (halal). With regard of course to certain precautions regarding uncleanliness of dogs, along with all animals, such as when maintaining your ablution or making prayer.
However, recently it was suggested to me otherwise by someone from Thailand, is this cultural?

[Tayeb]

Dogs should be kept out of home so keeping dogs as pets inside home is not recommended. It says nowhere it is haram, but instead it is inadvisable. North African farmers of Atlas mountains keep their dogs in their homes for safety reasons as they live in remote areas.

[Tayeb]

s3 dear Rob,

There's a response to a question at Islamonline on this matter that I reproduce below:

Name: Mary - Australia

Question: Peace be upon you, can you please answer my question? I'm an animals lover, and I love keeping pets, including dogs. I can't give up this hobby so, do you think this is haram?

Answer: Having a dog cannot be considered as Haram but it is Makruh, which means that it is better not to have one unless it is for guarding, for herding, or for any similar need or use. It is very important to realize that the angels do not enter the room where there is a dog, but it is still not haram to have it there.

source: http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=54MBSj

Allah know best!
Ma'a-salaama,

[roleary]

Thanks for quick reply Tayeb, I figured I could have researched but I preferred to hear from people their opinions, I just read this surah from the holy quran quoted in another text I am reading, ironically it pertains to the question I just posted;
"when you eat give out of your food to him who asks and also to dogs and birds and other animals" 51:20

Just one example of the many references which I have floating around my memory bank of instructions to be kind to domesticated animals, such as dogs. I am guessing it is perhaps more of a thai tradition which comes through and influences thai islamic practice.. perhaps?

[Om_Mohammed]

Assalaamu alaikum.

What Br. Tayeb has posted is really sufficient. But just thought to add some comments to this as well.

The dogs themselves are not haram...nor is it actually haram to keep them.

Basically, as 'rule of thumb', concerning nearly anything concerning your religion (i.e. Islam), it is most generally assumed and acceptable to consider all things basically halal (permissable) unless otherwise definitely ruled out as haram. That said, it is best also to keep away from those things which are in the 'grey' area...in the shadows...those things in which you are questioning and in doubt. To be on the safe side, so to say.

To remind you concerning dogs in general (whether they are domestic or wild)...there are many instances in the hadith which indicate that the angels do not enter into the home where there is a dog present. Now...we do need our angels to record our deeds, right? And for various helps and protections, as Allah has assigned them to those duties. If they (the angels) do not come into the home with us when there is a dog present, then how can we assure ourselves of these things (protection, help, recording of our deeds and prayers)?

The majority of scholars worldwide through the ages have ruled that it is permissable to keep a dog essentially for one of two things: either protection or hunting.

As well, it is highly recommended and rewarded to be kind to all animals...whether they be domestic or wild. Only to take any violent action against them in the case of protecting one's life or home from intruding animals or when hunting. And then, if necessary to make a kill, then to do it well, fast and merciful. Not in an ongoing torturous method.

As what concerns the wudhu and cleanliness, the dog is the only animal I know of that we are required to make a new cleansing wudhu after coming in contact with it...and in particularly in contact with it's saliva.

I read a report a while ago (cannot find it now in my files...ugh)...about how the modern medical scientists have discovered in the dog's (any dog's) saliva there are present an amoung of something like 50 micro-organisms which are all detrimental to human health. Perhaps this is the reason we have been commanded to wash 6 times with water and the seventh with clean sand after coming in contact with the dog's saliva.

OK...hope that this helps you some.

Om Mohammed.

[Netcurtains3]

mildly amusing TV program on Channel 4.
(http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/generationnext/documentaries/)

(click the three minute wonders and you're looking for Sathnam Sanghera (Journalist))

http://www.sathnam.com/Columns/157/why-do-asians-hate-dogs


bio:
http://www.sathnam.com/Biog/

It explained why so many asian people do not like
dogs (coz in India dogs are often wild feral creatures - possibly
with rabbies).

This Indian Chap, decided to take ownership of a dog
for a day to see if he was missing out. He then put
a "please stroke me" sign on the dog and took it to
an Indian style shopping acrade somwhere in the UK.
He wanted to see the reactions
of other asian people but also be humourous.
No one stroked the dog.

Mildly amusing.

Net.

[roleary]

my dog is perhaps a bit more well behaved than the how author of the times article describes dogs in general. Although its hard not to marvel at the pure... dogness... of dogs. Sometimes I just watch him frolic around the living room, chasing his tail in circles, barking and socks, etc. and it really gives me a sense of superiority, lol.
However, despite the slight annoyance of my pup at times, I never have a difficult time sleeping at night because I know that if ever an intruder enters my apartment not only will my dog wake me up but will also most likely maul the intruder quite severely, to me this assurance is worth the hassle. In my neighborhood to not have a dog would too me seem like a poor decision.

[sipraomer]

Thanks for quick reply Tayeb, I figured I could have researched but I preferred to hear from people their opinions, I just read this surah from the holy quran quoted in another text I am reading, ironically it pertains to the question I just posted;
"when you eat give out of your food to him who asks and also to dogs and birds and other animals" 51:20

Just one example of the many references which I have floating around my memory bank of instructions to be kind to domesticated animals, such as dogs. I am guessing it is perhaps more of a thai tradition which comes through and influences thai islamic practice.. perhaps?

The meaning of this verse according to my knowledge is that don't let animals dies. Like when Umar bin Khattab became the second caliph of Islam. he once said " Omar will be asked for even a dog under his government if it sleeps without feeding sitting at the shores of Arabia." I personally think that this verse meaning is similar to this saying of Omar as if animals also deserve sympathy. Secondly dogs can be kept for need of guarding. An urdu scholar of Pakistan who died recently named Fiaz Ahmed I guess. Sorry I am not good with names. Anyways he said that other animals react when you treat them badly. For instance a cat will attack her owner with her paws if she is mistreated or hurt. Likewise an eagle has to be blindfolded with a cloth and leather gloves should be worn other wise he will bite his owner. Eagles don't like to be enslaved or be owned. A dog consistently shakes his tails no matter what you do. So he is showing a sign of lip service which is strictly haram in Islam. The dog encourages and gives his owner this idea. This explanation was given by this man. Ahh. I remember his name. Ashfaq Ahmed. Ashfaq Ahmed said this statement on a popular TV show of his.
God knows best