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Fatwa CenterRuling on keeping dogs in one's house
Question
Why is owning or keeping a dog Haram in Islam? Why can't dogs be allowed in one's apartment?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It is not permissible to keep a dog as a pet or for other than for the purpose of guarding or hunting as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , said: “Whoever keeps a dog as a pet, except for the purpose of guarding cattle or hunting, will lose a Qiraat (a huge portion) of the reward from his good deeds daily.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also prohibited the price of blood, the price of a dog, and the wages of a prostitute; he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also cursed women who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, the person who consumes Ribaa (interest and/or usury) and the one who gives it to others, and cursed portrait makers.
It is known that the impurity of a dog is a major impurity because if a dog drinks in a container, it is an obligation to wash it seven times, one of which or the first of which should be with soil. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If a dog drinks in a container of yours, it is an obligation to wash it seven times, the first of which with soil.” [Muslim]
Therefore, if there is no necessity, it is not permissible for anyone to possess a dog.
For more details, please refer to Fataawa 91174 and 92109.
Allaah Knows best.
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