What Happened to Dogs?

[manx]

ben_dy:

I’m not certain of what the modern Islamic culture has to say about dogs - I have Islamic friends and I’ve never given it much thought before but all are, if they have pets, cat people.

Cat people. That’s for sure. I remember a close companion of Mohammad is called “father of cats” because of his love for them. I also observed that Muslims love to keep pets and appreciate nature. For them, they are signs and proofs of Allah’s greatness.

meow

deen

 

[exoflare]

manx:

Cat people. That’s for sure. I remember a close companion of Mohammad is called “father of cats” because of his love for them. I also observed that Muslims love to keep pets and appreciate nature. For them, they are signs and proofs of Allah’s greatness.

meow

** deen**

LOL I thought you sounded familiar. Well, I guess even suspension didn’t work huh? Looks like you’ve found quite a fitting new role posing as a more “objective” contributor who doesn’t state their true religion on purpose… :clapping:

 

[Darrel]

It’s a simple matter of compromise. This is the perfect susbstitute if one is worried about dogs.

-D

 

[Reuben_J]

Rebecca New:

Seems to me they should be more worried about our feathered friends than the dogs!

I guess Muslims’ treatment of dogs or pigs got to do with their religous instruction.

We have a whole list of do’s and don’ts in the Book of Leviticus too. Some of those laws have been supeceded by Jesus’ coming to earth, thanks God.

I hope we can understand Muslims’ sensitivity on these things.

 

[Lillith]

I have always heard that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans…cat bites, on the other hand can send a person to the hospital…

I still love my cats.
Meow

 

[Faith101]

this is an interesting thread.

Perhaps, Adam and Eve would have opened a similiar one entittled “what happed to the tree in the garden?” and went on and on about why they couldnt eat from it, why God made it unlawful for them, etc. hmm…oh no wait, that was the Devil’s job.

SubhanAllah…God says, we do. He says no, we don’t do. That’s it. Did we not learn *anything * from our ancestors?

In terms of keeping dogs, i believe that is allowed, as long as they are kept out of the house in a separate place. Many of my family members in Egypt have dogs (the ones who live in houses, not apartments) and they use them for security purposes to guard the house.

In terms of being kind to animals, then thats a whole other thread. If someone is actually interested, we can talk about how a Muslim is supposed to treat animals.

Animal rights in 7th century arabia. Alhamdulilah for Islam.

 

[Myangel]

manx:

I know that in the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, take the dog as more than just a man’s best friend - it’s their **MAIN DISH ** during their drinking sprees! yaaayks!

Its very true, I have a friend who brought back pictures of skinned dogs hanging out to dry with for sale signs on them!

 

[exoflare]

Faith101:

SubhanAllah…God says, we do. He says no, we don’t do. That’s it. Did we not learn *anything * from our ancestors?

If God actually told me to stay away from dogs, I would. He hasn’t told anybody this, so that’s a different issue.

Even if you think the Quran is from God, it doesn’t mention anything about dogs in there, does it? This stuff is all from the hadiths.

 

[radhika]

Why would God create an animal and then tell us that that animal is not to be kept near us and is ungodly? its not logical.Why would He hate His own creation?

 

[exoflare]

I think this is one of those questions where we’re supposed to take “God told us so” as a good enough answer. Although it would never suffice if Catholics used that argument to explain anything.

 

[ben_dy]

radhika:

Why would God create an animal and then tell us that that animal is not to be kept near us and is ungodly? its not logical.Why would He hate His own creation?

Well, both the Islamic Halal and Judaism’s kosher dietary laws are pretty strict, you know. God gave man dominion over all biological entities of the world but told us to stay away from certain animal meats - pork, of course, being forbidden to both Muslims and Jews.

I know that Jews can’t eat lobster, for instance, but I believe Islam allows the eating of all sea animals.

But note, too, that Islam specifically says that neither dogs nor cats (or crocodiles!) are to be consumed.

So there are some animals which are considered unfit to eat while not unfit as pets, some animals that are considered unfit to eat that you likely wouldn’t want to keep as pets (I just don’t see myself sitting on the couch with my crocodile’s head in my lap), and some animals that are just dandy to eat but that you still, likely, wouldn’t want to keep as a pet (yes, I know that some people have, for instance, spiders as pets - I don’t and consider myself lucky not even to have spiders as pests save when I’m out in the woods with them) and, yes, spiders are forbidden to eat under Islamic dietary law.

So I don’t think God hates any of His own creations - He’s just wise in letting us know those that may be harmful to our health.

 

[Reuben_J]

ben_dy:

Well, both the Islamic Halal and Judaism’s kosher dietary laws are pretty strict, you know. God gave man dominion over all biological entities of the world but told us to stay away from certain animal meats - pork, of course, being forbidden to both Muslims and Jews.

I know that Jews can’t eat lobster, for instance, but I believe Islam allows the eating of all sea animals.

But note, too, that Islam specifically says that neither dogs nor cats (or crocodiles!) are to be consumed.

So there are some animals which are considered unfit to eat while not unfit as pets, some animals that are considered unfit to eat that you likely wouldn’t want to keep as pets (I just don’t see myself sitting on the couch with my crocodile’s head in my lap), and some animals that are just dandy to eat but that you still, likely, wouldn’t want to keep as a pet (yes, I know that some people have, for instance, spiders as pets - I don’t and consider myself lucky not even to have spiders as pests save when I’m out in the woods with them) and, yes, spiders are forbidden to eat under Islamic dietary law.

So I don’t think God hates any of His own creations - He’s just wise in letting us know those that may be harmful to our health.

I love dogs and cats.

I keep a dog but not cats. I’m asthmatic and my dr. ask me to keep away from them. what’s a pity.

Yes, God would never hate His own creation. But humans have to be wise too. Some animals are dangerous to us, even if they are so loveable. So, no cats in my house and I settle just for patting those not mine.

 

[Faith101]

If God actually told me to stay away from dogs, I would. He hasn’t told anybody this, so that’s a different issue.

You are right. That is why when someone is presented Islam, they are not told about the what to do and what not to do…they are told that there is NO God worthy of woship except Allah alone and that Mohamed peace be upon him is the messenger of God. Once that statment is placed in their hearts, they become Muslim…ie submitting to the will of God.

Without that, like you said, they have no reason to obey any of the laws revealed…and there really is no point for them to obey the laws without proper belief first.

Even if you think the Quran is from God, it doesn’t mention anything about dogs in there, does it? This stuff is all from the hadiths.

The ahadith serve as another form of legislation for Muslims…we are supposed to follow the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) teachings, because He is guided by Allah.

Say: “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 3:31)

 

[Faith101]

radhika:

Why would God create an animal and then tell us that that animal is not to be kept near us and is ungodly? its not logical.Why would He hate His own creation?

What does “ungodly” mean? Again, a Muslim can keep a dog for protection of your property and also for hunting.

God created the Devil right? But then He told you to stay away from the Devil, that he is your enemy. I honeslty don thave a problem with all this, because i believe that God knows what He is doing…and all wisdom belongs to Him.

Also, you will find similiar beliefs in the Bible (i know i know, you dont follow them, they are from the old testament…but its somethign that God legislated at one point in time.)

The swine also, because it divideth the hoof, but cheweth not the cud, shall be unclean, their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. (Deuteronomy 14:8)

 

[Faith101]

exoflare:

I think this is one of those questions where we’re supposed to take “God told us so” as a good enough answer. Although it would never suffice if Catholics used that argument to explain anything.

Exoflare, can you give an example of this…where you have proven using your sources that God said something but one of the Muslims on this forum said its not good enough?

I wouldnt like to repeat the same mistake twice

 

[janG]

Actually, the devil was NOT created evil. He is a fallen angel. God created only good angels with free will. Satan and his followers CHOSE to disobey God. They were banished from heaven and became the enemies of good. Allowing evil to exist and creating evil are very different things and understanding that difference goes to the very heart of knowing the truth about God.

Luke 10:
[17] The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
[18] And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

 

[Faith101]

janG:

Actually, the devil was NOT created evil. He is a fallen angel. God created only good angels with free will. Satan and his followers CHOSE to disobey God. They were banished from heaven and became the enemies of good. Allowing evil to exist and creating evil are very different things and understanding that difference goes to the very heart of knowing the truth about God.

Luke 10:
[17] The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
[18] And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Jan, the point is: GOD CREATED THE DEVIL (and God knew what the Devil would do ie disobey God, and that the Devil would attempt to mislead all of mankind). God creates what He wills and tells you to stay away from certain things. I dont feel qualified to QUESTION why God wants us to stay away from this or that.

p.s. Angels dont have free will (or else we’d be hearing about a lot of bad Angels and we wouldnt use the term “angel” to describe a good person much more than we’d use the word “man” to describe a good person). The Devil was never an Angel.

 

[exoflare]

Faith101:

p.s. Angels dont have free will (or else we’d be hearing about a lot of bad Angels and we wouldnt use the term “angel” to describe a good person much more than we’d use the word “man” to describe a good person). The Devil was never an Angel.

This was another Muslim belief that kind of shocked me. My friend told me the same thing, so yeah it’s another different belief. Terminology is irrelevant here though… people think of angels now in American culture as “the good ones”, so if it makes it clearer refer to them all as “spirit beings” and the bad ones as “demons” and stuff like that. It really makes no difference.

Actually that reminds me of how my Muslim friend saw the doctrine that said Jesus descended into “hell” and was of course unaware of how the definition used has changed over the ages. (if you want to ask, start a separate thread!!) Terminology really proves itself to be a stumbling block in these types of dialogues…

 

[Faith101]

exoflare:

This was another Muslim belief that kind of shocked me. My friend told me the same thing, so yeah it’s another different belief. Terminology is irrelevant here though… people think of angels now in American culture as “the good ones”, so if it makes it clearer refer to them all as “spirit beings” and the bad ones as “demons” and stuff like that. It really makes no difference.

Actually that reminds me of how my Muslim friend saw the doctrine that said Jesus descended into “hell” and was of course unaware of how the definition used has changed over the ages. (if you want to ask, start a separate thread!!) Terminology really proves itself to be a stumbling block in these types of dialogues…

I agree. Its important to define the words we use so that others not familiar with our terminology can understand.

In Islam we also have Angels, as well as another type of creation called Jinn who have free will. The Devil is of that type. Angels dont sin, Jinn and humans can.

 

[exoflare]

Faith101:

I agree. Its important to define the words we use so that others not familiar with our terminology can understand.

In Islam we also have Angels, as well as another type of creation called Jinn who have free will. The Devil is of that type. Angels dont sin, Jinn and humans can.

Yeah, that’s the same thing my friend told me.