Are Muslims Allowed to Have Pet Dogs?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Are Muslims allowed to have pet dogs?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

In the Hanafi school, it is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to keep a dog as a pet, yet one may keep a hunting dog or a guard dog to protect one’s property, harvest, sheep or cattle. [Nahlawi, Durar Mubaha; Birgivi, Tariqa Muhammadiyya; Ala’ uddin Abidin, Hadiyya Ala’iyya; Fatawa Hindiyya]

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever acquires a dog, aside from a dog for hunting or shepherding, his reward will decrease every day by huge amounts.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

He (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “Angels [i.e., of mercy] do not enter a house in which there is a dog or picture.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Please also see this related answer:

What is the Islamic Stance on Having a Dog?

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved Faraz Rabbani