Date : 15-06-2010

Question :

What is the ruling on raising dogs inside houses by some people?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The World, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.


Raising dogs is impermissible save for legal purposes such as guarding in general and for lawful hunting but having them for no purpose is impermissible, since the Prophet (PBUH) said (What means):"  "Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle." Abu Huraira (in another narration) said from the Prophet: "unless it is used for guarding sheep or farms, or for hunting." [Related by Al-Bukhary].


Besides, a dog is impure regardless of the reason for keeping it and whosoever touches it is obliged to wash his hands with soil, for the Prophet (PBUH) said (What means): "When a dog laps the water in a vessel belonging to any of you, he must wash it seven times, using earth the first time.” [Related by Moslim]. And Allah Knows Best.