Hadith about Dogs in Islam

Hadith about Dogs in Islam

📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 339
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times, the first time with dust.

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Summary

The recommendation to wash a utensil that has been licked by a dog seven times, with the first time using dust, is a specific method of purification that is prescribed in Islamic law. The purpose of this practice is to remove any impurities or germs that may be present on the utensil. It should be noted that these guidelines are not unique to Islam and are similar to practices found in other religions and cultures that value cleanliness and hygiene. In summary, the hadith you mentioned is a recommendation for cleanliness in Islamic law, specifically with regard to utensils that have been licked by a dog. It is not a statement on the inherent cleanliness or uncleanliness of dogs, but rather a practical guideline for ensuring that utensils remain clean and free of impurities.

Islam and Dogs

Dogs are not considered inherently unclean in Islam, but their saliva is viewed as impure. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and here are a few hadiths about dogs in Islam:

1. It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said: “If a dog drinks from the vessel of any one of you, let him throw away what is left in it and wash it seven times.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) This hadith shows that dogs are considered impure and that one should take precautions when using utensils that a dog has come into contact with.
2. It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said: “The reward of the one who guards a dog for the purpose of protecting his farm or livestock is equal to the reward of a person who gives charity to a poor person.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) This hadith shows that it is acceptable to keep a dog for the purpose of protecting one’s property, and that this is considered a virtuous act.
3. It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said: “A woman who kept a cat as a pet in her home and treated it well will enter paradise.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) This hadith shows that it is acceptable to keep a cat as a pet and that treating animals well is a virtue.

Additional Information

It is important to note that the hadiths about dogs and other animals should be understood in the context of the time and culture in which they were revealed. They should not be taken out of context or misunderstood as being applicable in all situations.