Can Muslims Keep Dogs as Pets? | Halal Check Online

Q: Can Muslims Keep Dogs as Pets?

Most scholars say keeping a dog purely as an indoor pet is not permitted, based on hadith, but dogs for guarding, farming, hunting or assistance (such as guide dogs) are allowed. Touching a dog is not haram; in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools its saliva is impure and must be washed off, while the Maliki school considers dogs pure. Cats are permitted and loved in Islam.

Also asked as: “Is it haram to have a dog?” · “Can Muslims touch dogs?” · “Are cats allowed in Islam?”

Keeping a dog

Hadith state that angels do not enter a house with a dog, and that keeping a dog except for hunting, herding or guarding reduces one's reward. Scholars include guide and assistance dogs in the exceptions.

Touching dogs

Shafi'i & Hanbali: dog saliva and wetness are impure; wash seven times, once with earth.
Hanafi: saliva is impure, the dog's body is not.
Maliki: dogs are pure.

Cats

Cats are pure, can live in the home, and the Prophet ﷺ was kind to them. Being cruel to any animal is haram.

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