Hadith about Dogs in Islam

In Islam, keeping dogs is allowed only if they are not harmful and are kept for specific purposes, such as protection or guarding. Dogs are not meant to be kept as pets in the same way as children or close companions. For example, Islam does not encourage allowing dogs to kiss your mouth or engage in overly affectionate behavior like humans would with pets, While it is important to provide dogs with good food, water, and care, Islam emphasizes that the welfare of humans should come first. Feeding and caring for dogs should not take priority over helping people in need. It’s crucial to balance this responsibilit, while you can care for dogs, you should not neglect the basic needs of human beings, particularly those who are poor or hungry. The priority is always to ensure that humans receive their rights, and animals should be treated well, but not at the expense of human welfare.

Riyad as-Salihin 126
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:” While a man was walking on his way he became extremely thirsty. He found a well, he went down into it to drink water. Upon leaving it, he saw a dog which was panting out of thirst. His tongue was lolling out and he was eating moist earth from extreme thirst. The man thought to himself: ‘This dog is extremely thirsty as I was.’ So he descended into the well, filled up his leather sock with water, and holding it in his teeth, climbed up and quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins”. The Companions asked: “Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?” He (ﷺ) said, “A reward is given in connection with every living creature”

Let’s keep it 100 for a second. The Prophet (ﷺ) shared a story where a man saw a dog suffering from extreme thirst, just like he was. He went out of his way to help that dog, and guess what? Allah rewarded him for it and forgave his sins. But now we have people out here who’ll drop thousands on their dogs, treat them like royalty, but completely ignore the real human suffering around them. Is your dog really more important than helping people who actually need it? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of ‘loving animals,’ but if you’re out here spoiling your pet while turning a blind eye to children in need or the less fortunate, you’re just being selfish. You’re doing nothing but flexing your own self-interest, putting animals above people. Dogs have a purpose, and they deserve care, but they’re not here to be your emotional band-aid or some Instagram accessory. If you’re not redirecting your resources to help people, you’re just showing the world how out of touch you are. True kindness isn’t just about spoiling your pets, it’s about serving the needs of real human beings. Prioritize right, because your dog doesn’t need a new sweater when people can’t even afford basic meals.

From this hadith, we learn that helping dogs, and animals in general, is a good deed. They should be cared for with a purpose, whether they’re with your children or serving a functional role. It’s important to feed them and treat them well.

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.

1. Reference: Beware the dogs Expert reveals the reason you should never let your dog lick your face – and why it could be DEADLY.
2. Reference: Relationship between dog keeping and kids liver virus hepatitis

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.

1. The Hadith about Angels and Dogs
   The hadith says, “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” This may seem like a general rule, but it should be understood in context with other hadiths regarding dogs.
2. The Prophet’s Command Regarding Killing Dogs
   In Sahih Muslim 1572 mentions that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) initially ordered the killing of dogs. However, people mistakenly killed all dogs, even those that were harmless, such as those coming with women from the desert. The Prophet (ﷺ) later clarified that not all dogs should be killed.
3. Clarification: The Specific Dog to Be Killed
   The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that only the jet-black dog with two spots should be killed, as this type of dog was harmful. He referred to this dog as a “devil,” not meaning the dog is literally a devil, but symbolizing the harmful nature of its behavior. This particular dog posed a threat to the safety of people.
4. The “Jet-Black Dog with Two Spots”
   The dog mentioned is not any black dog, but one described as having two spots. The dog’s aggression and harmful behavior are key. When it is referred to as a “devil,” it signifies danger and harm, not that the dog is a supernatural being.
5. The Angels and the Dog in the House
   The hadith about the angels not entering a house where there is a dog likely refers to the jet-black dog with two spots, as it symbolizes danger and harm. The presence of this dog in the house could create an environment not conducive to the angels’ presence

Sahih al-Bukhari 3225
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:” He who kept a dog other than one meant for hunting or for watching the herd, lost two qirat of his reward every day.

A dog is not your child, spouse, or husband, get over it. If you’re so passionate about taking care of something, maybe you should think about taking in a child in need, not waste your time and money on pampering a pet. There are people out there struggling to survive, and yet some choose to spend hundreds, even thousands, on pets, treating them like they’re human while real humans suffer. It’s almost ironic that people pour so much into animals when they could be using that energy to help those in dire need. Dogs have a purpose, sure, but it’s not to serve as your emotional crutch or a status symbol. Your dog doesn’t need a kiss on the mouth, and your kids don’t need to be slobbered on. Get your priorities straight and do something that actually matters.

Protecting Life from a Dangerous Dog

Sahih Muslim 1572
The Prophet (ﷺ):” ordered us to kill dogs, and we carried out this order so much so that we also kill the dog coming with a woman from the desert. Then Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) forbade their killing. He (the Prophet further) said: It is your duty the jet-black (dog) having two spots (on the eyes), for it is a devil.

The hadith specifically orders the killing of a “jet-black dog with two spots,” and it is described as a devil or something harmful. The term “devil” (Shaytan) is not meant to indicate that the dog is literally a devil, but rather that its behavior or nature is considered harmful and potentially dangerous. In Islamic tradition, anything that causes harm or leads to destruction is often symbolized as Shaytan, During the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the world was far less developed than today. People lived in tribes and did not have the modern conveniences or secure environments we have now. Dogs at that time were often wild or untrained, and they could be dangerous. The “jet-black dog with two spots” mentioned in the hadith is described as a specific type of dog that was particularly aggressive or harmful, which posed a threat to the safety of the people.

This hadith should be understood in the context of protecting society. In those days, aggressive dogs could endanger lives, so the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) commanded that this specific type of dog should be killed to prevent harm.

The Key Points:

1. Not All Dogs Are Harmful: The hadith does not say that all dogs should be killed, nor does it condemn all black dogs. The order applies specifically to the “jet-black dog with two spots,” which was considered dangerous at the time.

2. “Devil” Refers to Harm: The mention of the dog being a “devil” is symbolic. In Islam, the devil (Shaytan) represents things that cause harm and destruction. The dog is not literally a devil, but its behavior is seen as potentially harmful and a threat to the community.

3. Historical Context: In the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), people lived in a more dangerous and undeveloped environment, where wild or aggressive animals could be a direct threat to the community. The killing of the “jet-black dog with two spots” was allowed to protect people from harm.

4. Application Today: While the specific command to kill only applies to the “jet-black dog with two spots,” the underlying principle is that Islam permits the killing of an animal if it is truly harmful and poses a threat to human life. However, this is not a blanket rule for all dogs. If a dog today exhibits dangerous behavior, it is important to take action to protect yourself and others. But it should always be done carefully and with consideration for the situation.

This hadith emphasizes the importance of protecting human life and preserving safety in a time when threats were more immediate. Although we no longer live in the same conditions as in the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), the principle of protecting society from harm still applies today. If a dog is truly dangerous and poses a threat, it may be necessary to act in self-defense, but this should always be done with wisdom and care.

Why You Might Need to Kill

Imagine, in the calm of your home, the peaceful routine of your family shattered in an instant. Your child, the light of your life, is outside playing, innocently laughing, unaware of the danger closing in. Then, out of nowhere, a wild, aggressive dog appears. It’s not just any dog; it’s the kind that seems to have no regard for human life, its eyes dark with intent. Its growl is deep and menacing, and as it approaches your child, you see the terror in their eyes, In that moment, time feels like it stops. The instinct to protect your child kicks in with an overwhelming force, your heart races, your mind swarms with fear and desperation. What would you do in this split second? You would protect your child at all costs, even if it meant taking the most painful and difficult action imaginable, This is the raw essence of what the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized in his teachings about preventing harm. The specific mention of a jet-black dog with two spots, known in the hadith, isn’t a condemnation of all dogs or of their color. It’s about the protection of life, about saving your child, your loved ones, your community, from something that may bring harm, fear, and destruction , Imagine the sorrow that would fill your heart as you’re faced with the terrible necessity of defending your family. The agony of knowing that the dog, once an innocent creature, has turned into a threat that could take away the precious life you’ve nurtured. It’s not about hatred for the animal; it’s about love for your child. It’s about the duty to protect when harm is imminent, no matter how painful the decision might be, In those moments of fear and helplessness, the hadith speaks to the urgency of protection. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) guidance reflects a profound concern for the safety of families and communities in a time when survival and safety were often at the mercy of the wild. It was a time when danger was not just metaphorical but very real, and actions were necessary to shield the innocent from harm, Now, in the world we live in today, this ancient wisdom may not always apply directly. Our relationship with animals has changed, and we no longer live in constant fear of wild creatures attacking our children. But the principle remains: When harm is imminent, when an innocent life is at risk, protecting that life must always come first. It is a deep, tragic sorrow to face such choices, but it is the duty of a parent, a guardian, to act when there is no other optionn, The sadness in these moments isn’t about violence; it’s about loss, the loss of innocence, the loss of a moment of peace, and the heartbreak of having to harm when love calls for protection. And yet, in the midst of this, the love for your child and the imperative to keep them safe is clear. Compassion doesn’t stop at the love for our children, it extends to all life, but sometimes the hardest decisions come when life itself is threatened, This is not a call to harm animals indiscriminately, but to understand that protection in the face of genuine threat is a deep and painful responsibility. Today, we live in a different world, but the message from this hadith transcends time: The sanctity of life, the responsibility to protect those we love, is always paramount, In this modern age, the lessons remain relevant, but we must act with both wisdom and mercy, understanding the context of our time and the deep sorrow that would come with having to make such a decision.

Additional Information

From the teachings of these hadith, we understand that showing kindness and compassion to dogs, and animals in general, is an act of goodness and virtue. Animals should be treated with care, and they should serve a purpose in our lives, whether as companions for our children or for functional roles such as guarding or herding. It is essential to ensure they are well-fed, given proper shelter, and treated with respect. However, a jet-black dog with two distinct spots over its eyes is considered harmful in certain teachings and should be kept at a distance, as it may pose a risk, particularly to young children, But if you are unsure what exactly a ‘jet-black dog with two spots’ looks like, it’s important not to assume that all black dogs are dangerous or harmful. Over the years, these particular dogs have often lived outside human homes, and just like human beings have evolved, so too have animals. These dogs are not inherently dangerous, and rash decisions, like harming or killing dogs out of ignorance, can lead to unnecessary harm. Therefore, before taking drastic actions, it is crucial to confirm whether the dog poses a true threat or not. Each situation should be carefully assessed to ensure no harm is done to animals who may not be a danger at all.