Question:
Salams, What is the ruling for keeping a dog to guide the blind, hunting or security. Jazakallah [Question Published as Received]
The Fatwa
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Answer
It is permissible for one to keep a dog for purposes of hunting or security. Likewise, it is acceptable for a visually impaired person in taking assistance and keeping a guide dog.
The Fiqh of the Answer
The presence and acceptability of dogs is a subject of Islamic jurisprudence. Briefly, there are certain situations that would permit one to keep a dog, such as hunting, security, and assisting the blind. Ibn al-Humām (d.861 AH) affirms that it is permissible to acquire and keep a dog for hunting, guarding livestock, homes and/or crops, as this has been unanimously agreed upon by Islamic Scholarship (Ijma’). However, he (raḥimahullāh) cautions against keeping the dog inside one’s home, except in the case of fearing thieves or enemies. This ruling is evidenced by an authentic ḥadīth that states that “whoever acquires a dog, except for a hunting or herding dog, will have two Qirāṭs (denoting a large amount) of his reward deducted every day”. [Bukhāri & Muslim]
Additionally, Imām Al Qudūrī (d.428 AH) in his At-Tajrīd also expresses the permissibility of trading a dog that provides benefits. It is important to note, however, that while dogs are permitted in these circumstances, they should be trained and kept in a way that is safe and does not cause harm or inconvenience to others. Additionally, dogs should not be kept in places of worship or areas where food is prepared or consumed, as the saliva of the dog, regardless of its nature, is considered Najis (impure).
The Rationale
When it comes to assets and resources, Shari’ah permits those use cases of many resources which have a value and are beneficial for humans. Sheepdogs and hunting dogs are important in many rural communities, as they help to protect livestock and aid in hunting game. Similarly, dogs may be used to provide security for homes and properties. These animals can be trained to alert their owners to any potential danger and can act as a deterrent to would-be intruders.
In addition to the aforementioned, guide dogs are also permitted as they are particularly beneficial for those with visual impairments. Guide dogs assist their owners in navigating their surroundings and help them avoid potential hazards. They are essential for the independence and mobility of people with disabilities.
And Almighty Allah Alone Knows Best
Maulana Ammar Y Badat
Trainee Mufti
Reviewed and approved by
Mufti Faraz Adam
Darul Iftaa Muadh ibn Jabal
www.fatwa-centre.com | www.darulfiqh.com
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عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «مَن اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا -إلا كلبَ صَيْدٍ، أو مَاشِيَةٍ- فإنه يَنْقُصُ من أَجْرِهِ كل يوم قِيرَاطَانِ». قال سالم: وكان أبو هريرة يقول: «أو كلبَ حَرْثٍ»، وكان صَاحِبَ حَرْثٍ. (متفق عليه)
وَأَمَّا اقْتِنَاؤُهُ لِلصَّيْدِ وَحِرَاسَةِ الْمَاشِيَةِ وَالْبُيُوتِ وَالزَّرْعِ فَيَجُوزُ بِالْإِجْمَاعِ، لَكِنْ لَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ فِي دَارِهِ إلَّا إنْ خَافَ لُصُوصًا أَوْ أَعْدَاءً لِلْحَدِيثِ الصَّحِيحِ «مَنْ اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا إلَّا كَلْبَ صَيْدٍ أَوْ مَاشِيَةٍ نَقَصَ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ قِيرَاطَانِ» (فتح القدير)
قلنا: النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – استثنى جواز بيع كلب لا يمكن الانتفاع به؛ فدل على جواز بيع كلب ينتفع به، فبقى النهي عما لا يمكن الانتفاع به من الكلاب. ولأنه جارحة يصاد به، كالفهد. ولأنه حيوان تصح الوصية به، كالفهد (التجريد للقدوري)
و فی الاجناس: لا ينبغي ان يتخذ الكلب الا خوفا من اللصوص او غیرھم۔ وبعد عبارۃ یسیرۃ: ویجب ان یعلم ان اقتناء الکلب لأجل الحرس جائز شرعا، وکذلک اقتنائہ للاصطياد مباح، وکذلک اقتنائہ لحفظ الزرع والماشية جائز، كذا في الذخيرة. (الفتاوى الهندية)
اتفق الفقهاء على أنه لا يجوز اقتناء الكلب إلا لحاجة : كالصيد والحراسة ، وغيرهما من وجوه الانتفاع التي لم ينه الشارع عنها . وقال المالكية : يكره اتخاذه لغير زرع أو ماشية أو صيد ، وقال بعضهم بجوازه. وقد ورد عن أبي هريرة ، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، أنه قال : من اتخذ كلبا إلا كلب ماشية أو صيد أو زرع انتقص من أجره كل يوم قيراط .وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : من اقتنى كلبا إلا كلب صيد ، أو ماشية ، نقص من أجره كل يوم قيراطان .وأما اقتناؤه لحفظ البيوت فقد قال ابن قدامة : لا يجوز على الأصح للخبر المتقدم ، ويحتمل الإباحة. (الموسوعة الفقهية الكويتية)