Keeping Dogs

It is impermissible for one to keep a dog on one’s property except for purposes of necessity. Necessity would cover keeping a watchdog in and around the perimeters of the house (for example, in the yard), in order to secure one’s home from robbery and theft or if one is a farmer, then in order to secure one’s crops and livestock from predators. In the same manner, one is allowed to keep a dog for hunting etc.

However, to keep a dog for any other purpose, such as keeping a dog as a pet or as a hobby etc. will be impermissible as it will be a cause of keeping the angels of mercy away from one’s house. The following Hadeeth is reported by Hadhrat ‘Ali Radiallahu Anhu:

“The angels (of mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a picture (of a living creature), a dog, or a Junubī (one in the state of major impurity).”