Dogs in Islam

[rashid120583]

Dogs are actually mentioned in the Quran several times. I’m on my phone but I’ll check the exact number later… I believe it’s 3 times total.

The interesting thing is that despite being mentioned several times they are never mentioned in a negative light. As I mentioned previously, in the case of the seven sleepers they are even known to be companions of righteous people. In that specific instance angels were not deterred from visiting the cave despite the presence of dogs. Hence there is a clear contradiction between Abu huraraihs hadiths and the the Quran. When that happens the Quran overrules.

 

[KathleenGee]

Rashid…

Good.

Dogs win. I mean, they are welcomed and love by Muslims…and us.

 

[Sam_777]

The interesting thing is that despite being mentioned several times they are never mentioned in a negative light. As I mentioned previously, in the case of the seven sleepers they are even known to be companions of righteous people. In that specific instance angels were not deterred from visiting the cave despite the presence of dogs.

Excuse me Rashid! where on earth the text in Quran which mentioned any angel visiting the seven sleepers !!!, here is the link for Sura 18 (The seven sleepers) for your own reference.
cmje.org/religious-texts/quran/verses/018-qmt.php

And as I said before Quran is blank on the dogs issue (i.e., allowed or not allowed), so we have to take the hadith for it…

 

[jakasaki]

Dogs are actually mentioned in the Quran several times. I’m on my phone but I’ll check the exact number later… I believe it’s 3 times total.

The interesting thing is that despite being mentioned several times they are never mentioned in a negative light. As I mentioned previously, in the case of the seven sleepers they are even known to be companions of righteous people. In that specific instance angels were not deterred from visiting the cave despite the presence of dogs. Hence there is a clear contradiction between Abu huraraihs hadiths and the the Quran. When that happens the Quran overrules.

I just finished reading the entire 18th Sura of the koran and there is no mention of any angels entering the cave where the 7 sleepers were in. I also read the entire tafsir.

I also scanned searchtruch.com for the word “dog”.

The word dog appears 5 times in 3 verses.

(1) If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.
( سورة الأعراف , Al-Araf, Chapter #7, Verse #176)

(2) Thou wouldst have deemed them awake, whilst they were asleep, and We turned them on their right and on their left sides: their **dog **stretching forth his two fore-legs on the threshold: if thou hadst come up on to them, thou wouldst have certainly turned back from them in flight, and wouldst certainly have been filled with terror of them.
( سورة الكهف , Al-Kahf, Chapter #18, Verse #18)

(3) (Some) say they were three, the **dog **being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the **dog **being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the **dog **being the eighth. Say thou: “My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case).” Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.
( سورة الكهف , Al-Kahf, Chapter #18, Verse #22)

 

[LtTony]

Original thread can be found here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=239954

I was on Google searching for some info about dogs and ran across an old thread on this forum about dogs in Islam. I didn’t want to post on it so I thought I’d start a new one… it just drives me nuts when Muslims speak poorly of dogs based on cultural biases that have nothing to do with Islam.

Anyway, I apologize for reopening this thread but reading some of the ignorant stuff written on here just irritates the heck out of me.

Rashid,

(Edited)

Apart from anything to do with dogs, what your post explains is that the hadiths and koran have contradictions.

Exactly.

I appreciate your effort to clarify a muslim issue with christians, rashid. What you say makes tons of sense to this non-muslim. But as pointed out, you may be expressing a minority opinion. There are plenty of muslims that would disagree with you, and Koran-only muslims
Muslims are just like christians – they are all over the map with their beliefs. Trouble is, most muslims won’t admit it. They are “one ummah”, they claim.
Another troublingthing for muslims is that a lot of muslims spend time asking questions on this and other issues like “Is music haram?” Muslim apologists reason that “This is a minor issue.” Well maybe, but muslims spend time trying to figure it out, then move on to the next confusing rule to the next misunderstood/cultirally-influenced rule. Before you know it, where at significant and contested issues like death to apostates. Some (most American) muslims claim it is only for acts of treason. Others, however, like those in the 'stans and the radicals in Europe, preach that those who leave Islam should be executed.

But again, I appreciate the effort. Keep it coming. Especially to your fellow muslims.

Dogs get a bad rap in the Bible, with only the book of Tobit (thrown out by some Protestants) mentioning a dog in a positive way.

Really? How’s that? There is no doctrine regarding pets in Christianity as far as I can tell. I obviously missed something.

Yea. Muslims tend to live in poorer countries. Owning a pet is a luxary… if you can’t feed yourself how are you going to feed your pet?

I will say that wealthier Muslims DO tend to own a lot of pets. My brothers cat had kittens and they went like hot cakes and many Muslims in Pakistan own parakeets. I think it really is a question of disposable income when it comes to pets.

My point in this post wasn’t that it’s not culturally uncommon but that there is no religious injunction against ownership of dogs.

Makes sense but certainly undermines the “a book for all times” that Muslims often spout. Islam seems incapable of dealing with the modern world, much like christianity a few hundred years back.

It seems you are not a Sunni Muslim, go ask your Cleric/Imam first before saying it’s a cultural issue rather than an Islamic one !!!, also if you are truly a Sunni Muslim then you cannot mock “Abu Hurairah”!!!, however, you should look into those hadiths before owning your next dog:

- Dogs nullify prayer.

- Gabriel does not enter a house which has a dog.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 450:

- Angels do not enter a house which has a dog.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 448:

- Two Qirat (aka Carat) daily deduction for keeping the dog.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 389:
- Washing the utensil 7 times.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 4, Number 173:

- Orders by Muhammed to kill dogs.
Sahih Bukhari,Sahih Muslim Book 010, Number 3809:

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3810:

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3811:

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3812:

Thank you sam. This is the sort of thing I was alluding to earlier in my post.

 

[onemangang]

Original thread can be found here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=239954

***Now, most of the hadiths concerning dogs come from Abu Hurairah. “Abu” means father and “Hurairah” means “little cats.” In sum, the name means “Father of little cats.” I mention this so that you, and my fellow Muslims, can begin to understand why someone named “Father of Little Cats” might have some bias towards dogs.

---

.

The name or title says it all.

 

[Petergee]

In general, I’ve been told that there is an aversion to dogs in semitic cultures. That would explain why neither the Old Testament nor many Islamic scholars paint a positive picture of dogs.

“Semitic cultures” are not unusual in this. The modern west eurtopean and especially Anglo culture since the 20th century is just about the only one in history which has generally pampered dogs as if they were almost human. Before that Anglos had pretty much the same attitude to dogs as the rest of the world. Look at all the derogatory expressions we still use in English:
it’s a dog’s life, thrown to the dogs, not fit for a dog, working like a dog, dog-tired, dog-fighting, etc. Even today to call a person a “dog”, or even worse a “b**ch”, is one of the most insulting words you can use.

 

[lauraabarlow]

Aside from cultural bias and differences, there have been numerous cases where a child wandered off and the only thing that saved his life (before he was found) was the warmth of his family dog that came with him. Many dogs saved their masters’ lives, pushed a child out of the path of a speeding car taking the hit himself-sacrificing himself to save the child-dogs have done remarkable things for their owners and their owners’ family-acting in place of guardian angels. I think and believe that God uses animals for His good purpose-and even in the book of Revelation, it is written that a child will sleep with the lions-all will be restored to good order when Jesus returns. Dogs without care and vaccines can be unclean yet we all are without proper medical care. Just reading everyone’s posts has been very educating for me-I learned a bit more on why some folks are opposed to dogs or just having dogs in the house instead of outdoors. Dogs do track in dirt and mud and does sometimes get into trash-bad dog! But no one is perfect-they are a little like children in a way

 

[Sam_777]

Rashid!, I do not want to accuse you of using Taqiyya in this thread, but I’m still waiting for your answer regarding the quran quote for angels visiting the seven sleepers!, also our sister in Christ “jakasaki” has provided you with quranic verses which clearly show that quran is blank on the dog issue (i.e., allowed or not allowed).

 

[Cavaradossi]

“Semitic cultures” are not unusual in this. The modern west eurtopean and especially Anglo culture since the 20th century is just about the only one in history which has generally pampered dogs as if they were almost human. Before that Anglos had pretty much the same attitude to dogs as the rest of the world. Look at all the derogatory expressions we still use in English:
it’s a dog’s life, thrown to the dogs, not fit for a dog, working like a dog, dog-tired, dog-fighting, etc. Even today to call a person a “dog”, or even worse a “b**ch”, is one of the most insulting words you can use.

That is true. In Chinese calling someone a dog is rather insulting as well. It gives good context to when Jesus likens the canaanite woman unto a dog, as it just seems to have less shock value in the Anglophone world than it does in cultures where dogs are thought of as being absolutely vile creatures.

 

[Filii_Dei]

That is true. In Chinese calling someone a dog is rather insulting as well. It gives good context to when Jesus likens the canaanite woman unto a dog, as it just seems to have less shock value in the Anglophone world than it does in cultures where dogs are thought of as being absolutely vile creatures.

Well the Chinese do keep dogs as pets too, so I don’t think theirs is one of those cultures who regard them as “absolutely vile creatures”. Nonetheless, some Chinese still consider it an insult. A Chinese professor recently labelled Hong Kongers ‘dogs’ in an ultranationalistic outburst on Chinese state television, so you can tell that it still carries some weight.

 

[SnakeMauler]

Original thread can be found here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=239954

I was on Google searching for some info about dogs and ran across an old thread on this forum about dogs in Islam. I didn’t want to post on it so I thought I’d start a new one… it just drives me nuts when Muslims speak poorly of dogs based on cultural biases that have nothing to do with Islam.

First, I am Muslim.

Second, I own a Pitbull and have owned German Shephards in the past.

Third, Islam does not ban owning dogs.

When interpreting Islamic law it is important to understand that the Quran supercedes everything. Everything. This includes Hadiths.

Now, most of the hadiths concerning dogs come from Abu Hurairah. “Abu” means father and “Hurairah” means “little cats.” In sum, the name means “Father of little cats.” I mention this so that you, and my fellow Muslims, can begin to understand why someone named “Father of Little Cats” might have some bias towards dogs.

When a Hadith and the Quran contradict each other, the Quran always supercedes. One of the most common hadiths (attributed to guess who… Abu Hurairah!) Muslims like to quote when talking about dogs is how an Angel will not enter a home with a dog. However, the Quran relates the biblical story of the 7 sleepers who had a dog guarding the mouth of their cave. Angels had no problem entering. Therefore, since the Hadith appears to create a rule that is directly contradicted by the Quran, it must be dismissed.

It’s like if someone found a hadith that stated you could eat pork. Since it is expressly forbidden in the Quran, that hadith would be disregarded. The same is true here.

Prior to the modern era, Muslim scholars had a variety of opinions concerning dogs. For example: The Maliki school holds that a dog is pure even its saliva. The Shafi’i and one of two narrations of Ibn Hanbal schools state that a dog is impure even its fur. The Hanafi and the other narration of Ibn Hanbal schools maintain that a dog’s saliva is impure while its fur is pure. Hence, there are a variety of opinions regarding dogs and always have been. Any Muslim that tells you Islam bans dog is making it up. There is no definitive answer.

There are even stories of dogs being in the Prophets Mosque. Not any mosque, but the one used by Muhammad himself. The stories describe how dogs (quite common in any ancient city) would travel through the mosque from time to time and even urinate on the outside (better than my dang dog…always peeing on the carpet… )

Further, Muslims are specfically allowed to eat animals killed by hunting dogs. Dogs hunt with their mouths. If dogs were so impure, Muslims would not be allowed to eat what has touched their mouth.

Dogs are also said to be able to see demons. Why would God bless such a creature with this ability and then ban it from our homes?

It doesn’t make any sense.

Essentially it comes down to culture. In eastern cities dogs are viewed as pests. In the Western world, dogs are neutered and generally not allowed to wander as strays. Go to an eastern city and you will see a dramatically different picture. Dogs are everywhere, thye eat garbage, are covered in ticks and fleas and rabieas is quite prevelant. Hence, eastern cultures have tended to view dogs in a very negative light (a lot like rats).

I’ve always found this cultural bias extremely annoying because I have owned dogs since I was young and have always been told it is against Islam. I looked into it and found it was simply not true. Dogs are mentioned several times in the Quran; never are they mentioned in a negative tone. Indeed, the 7 Sleeper story is own example of which they are spoken of in a positive light.

Bottom line: God doesn’t mess around. If he didn’t want us to be around dogs, he would have said so in the Quran. It makes no sense that he would discuss dogs in the Quran and provide no instruction.

Anyway, I apologize for reopening this thread but reading some of the ignorant stuff written on here just irritates the heck out of me.

Everything that God created is good, and that includes dogs broski. What evil is there in holding and petting a tiny little golden retriever puppy and cuddling with it?

 

[KathleenGee]

Only thing though…about Westerners pampering dogs…and I have always had a Lassie collie…there was a post here about a month back about the surroundings of the death of King Henry the V111…and how a Franciscan friar prophesized his death…that his body would explode and a dog would come lapping…yuk…don’t know if the whole thing is a true story…but I do know I have had to pull some junk away from the doggies, no matter how wonderful and benevolent and kind the dog from killing itself.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Hummm, I went to job sight awhile back and there in the parking lot on the roof of car was a German Shepard, no-one was around. I was eating Twinkies, and walked up the Shepard and gave him a Twinkie which I believe he swallowed whole.So I gave him a piece of the other. Pretty sure we became good friends at that moment.

Course about this time everyone appeared who was hiding and watching since the dog was trained, so they thought it would be hilarious to watch the show.

Oh well, thats my Dog story for they day. Have a cat now, a Maine Coon. He was a pet someone thought they wanted until they realized they actually had to take care of it.

 

[KathleenGee]

Gary – you eat Twinkies? There are people in different parts of the world who eat dogs…

You eat a Twinkie and it lasts forever…it is like McDonald’s French Fries…put them on a plate and cover them…twinkie or french fry…put a glass dome lid over it and see how long they last…

Doggie will have a full tummy for awhile…

 

[Curious_Seed]

Original thread can be found here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=239954

I was on Google searching for some info about dogs and ran across an old thread on this forum about dogs in Islam. I didn’t want to post on it so I thought I’d start a new one… it just drives me nuts when Muslims speak poorly of dogs based on cultural biases that have nothing to do with Islam.

First, I am Muslim.

Second, I own a Pitbull and have owned German Shephards in the past.

Third, Islam does not ban owning dogs.

When interpreting Islamic law it is important to understand that the Quran supercedes everything. Everything. This includes Hadiths.

Now, most of the hadiths concerning dogs come from Abu Hurairah. “Abu” means father and “Hurairah” means “little cats.” In sum, the name means “Father of little cats.” I mention this so that you, and my fellow Muslims, can begin to understand why someone named “Father of Little Cats” might have some bias towards dogs.

When a Hadith and the Quran contradict each other, the Quran always supercedes. One of the most common hadiths (attributed to guess who… Abu Hurairah!) Muslims like to quote when talking about dogs is how an Angel will not enter a home with a dog. However, the Quran relates the biblical story of the 7 sleepers who had a dog guarding the mouth of their cave. Angels had no problem entering. Therefore, since the Hadith appears to create a rule that is directly contradicted by the Quran, it must be dismissed.

It’s like if someone found a hadith that stated you could eat pork. Since it is expressly forbidden in the Quran, that hadith would be disregarded. The same is true here.

Prior to the modern era, Muslim scholars had a variety of opinions concerning dogs. For example: The Maliki school holds that a dog is pure even its saliva. The Shafi’i and one of two narrations of Ibn Hanbal schools state that a dog is impure even its fur. The Hanafi and the other narration of Ibn Hanbal schools maintain that a dog’s saliva is impure while its fur is pure. Hence, there are a variety of opinions regarding dogs and always have been. Any Muslim that tells you Islam bans dog is making it up. There is no definitive answer.

There are even stories of dogs being in the Prophets Mosque. Not any mosque, but the one used by Muhammad himself. The stories describe how dogs (quite common in any ancient city) would travel through the mosque from time to time and even urinate on the outside (better than my dang dog…always peeing on the carpet… )

Further, Muslims are specfically allowed to eat animals killed by hunting dogs. Dogs hunt with their mouths. If dogs were so impure, Muslims would not be allowed to eat what has touched their mouth.

Dogs are also said to be able to see demons. Why would God bless such a creature with this ability and then ban it from our homes?

It doesn’t make any sense.

Essentially it comes down to culture. In eastern cities dogs are viewed as pests. In the Western world, dogs are neutered and generally not allowed to wander as strays. Go to an eastern city and you will see a dramatically different picture. Dogs are everywhere, thye eat garbage, are covered in ticks and fleas and rabieas is quite prevelant. Hence, eastern cultures have tended to view dogs in a very negative light (a lot like rats).

I’ve always found this cultural bias extremely annoying because I have owned dogs since I was young and have always been told it is against Islam. I looked into it and found it was simply not true. Dogs are mentioned several times in the Quran; never are they mentioned in a negative tone. Indeed, the 7 Sleeper story is own example of which they are spoken of in a positive light.

Bottom line: God doesn’t mess around. If he didn’t want us to be around dogs, he would have said so in the Quran. It makes no sense that he would discuss dogs in the Quran and provide no instruction.

Anyway, I apologize for reopening this thread but reading some of the ignorant stuff written on here just irritates the heck out of me.

Thank you, for this thread.

I have no idea if you are correct about anything you say concerning Islam.

However, dogs and cats are clearly innocent lives void of any motives meriting detrimental judgments by any religion, or any person.

I believe Jesus is the Son of God, but if I read that Jesus said dogs and cats are something other than the simplicity that they are, and should be treated abjectly, I would be non-compliant.

Again, thank you, for your views and opening of your thread.

 

[Curious_Seed]

It seems you are not a Sunni Muslim, go ask your Cleric/Imam first before saying it’s a cultural issue rather than an Islamic one !!!, also if you are truly a Sunni Muslim then you cannot mock “Abu Hurairah”!!!, however, you should look into those hadiths before owning your next dog:

**- Dogs nullify prayer.
**Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 9, Number 493:
*Narrated 'Aisha:
The things which annual prayer were mentioned before me (and those were): a dog, a donkey and a woman. I said, “You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet. So, I would slip away by the side of his feet.” *

** - Gabriel does not enter a house which has a dog.**
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 450:

• Narrated Salim’s father:
  Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come) and later on he said, “We, angels, do not enter a house which contains a picture or a dog.” *

** - Angels do not enter a house which has a dog.**
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 448:

• Narrated Abu Talha:
  I heard Allah’s Apostle saying; “Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal).” *

** - Two Qirat (aka Carat) daily deduction for keeping the dog.**
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 389:

• Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
  The Prophet said, “Whoever keeps a (pet) dog which is neither a watch dog nor a hunting dog, will get a daily deduction of two Qirat from his good deeds.” *

- Washing the utensil 7 times.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 4, Number 173:

• Narrated Abu Huraira:
  Allah’s Apostle said, “If a dog drinks from the utensil of anyone of you it is essential to wash it seven times.” *

- Orders by Muhammed to kill dogs.
Sahih Bukhari,Sahih Muslim Book 010, Number 3809:

• Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) giving command for killing dogs.*

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3810:

• Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) ordered to kill dogs, and he sent (men) to the corners of Medina that they should be killed.*

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3811:

• Abdullah (b. Umar) (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) ordered the killing of dogs and we would send (men) in Medina and its corners and we did not spare any dog that we did not kill, so much so that we killed the dog that accompanied the wet she-camel belonging to the people of the desert.*

Sahih Muslim, Book 010, Number 3812:

• Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be, upon him) ordered the killing of dogs except the dog tamed for hunting, or watching of the herd of sheep or other domestic animals. It was said to Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) that Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) talks of (exception) about the dog for watching the field, whereupon he said: Since Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) possessed land.*

Let me get this right, according to Sunni Muslims:

• dogs nullify prayer;
• angels will not enter a house with a dog;
• keeping a dog reduces favor with God;
• utensils used by a dog are to be washed seven times, six not being enough, but eight being unnecessary.

If it is true that anyone today believes those views, I am led to conclude that dogs, for them, are more amazing than I ever thought they were.

Makes one wonder what goes on in the brain of a dog, besides wanting to be loved.

 

[KathleenGee]

I love dogs. I have two here right next to me…

They love to snack besides be loved…and go for walks. My other collie would pick up big, long sticks and gallop across the field with one. The smaller one he would pick up and go up to a person and swat him. The dog had a sense of humor as well…a most beautiful collie as well.

 

[adoglover1956]

Very interesting. We own 3 dogs

4 dogs here! Two Huskies and two German Shepherds!

 

[jakasaki]

4 dogs here! Two Huskies and two German Shepherds!

Based on your screen name, you are surely a dog lover.