Law of Helping Dogs in Islam – Brief Explanation

The dog is one of animals that near enough with human life. Many people make it as a pet at home. They want to take care this animal because it is very loyal, obedient and funny. But, how is the law of prohibition to take care dogs in Islam? Is it okay for a Moslem to help the dog and how is the law of helping dogs in Islam?

Although it is a pet at home, but Islam mentioned that this animal is haram and najis. Consuming dog meat is considered as a haram thing like pork.

Besides that, if a Moslem has touched the saliva of the dog, then he must cleanse the part of body that has contacted the saliva of that dog according to terms and conditions.

So, why does Islam considers that this animal is haram and najis? Even in Surah Al-Qur’an, it is not mentioned more clearly about the law of impurity this animal like Surah Al-Maidah  verse 3 that explains about impurity and prohibition of pigs.

Even in the story of Ashabul Kahfi that has taken a dog in his hiding place. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has guaranteed that the dog will enter to the heaven because it is loyal to its master.

The Messenger of Allah SAW said :

“The angels will never enter into a house that there is a dog in it. And they will never enter into a house that there is a statue in it.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Tirmidzi, Muslim, Ibn Majah and Nasa’i)

From Abi Hurairah Radiallahu’anhu said that the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said,

“If there is a dog that drink from your glass, then wash it as seven times.” (Narrated by Muslim and Bukhari). It is same with the law of caring dogs in Islam.

From the two dalils above, they explain that the dog is not same with other animals which can just be cared. Even if there is a dog in Moslem’s house, then angels do not want to enter into that house. Similarly, if a dog has touched the skin of a Moslem (its saliva), then that Moslem must wash his skin as seven times with mixing dust (clay).

Related article : Prohibition of raising dogs in Islam

The Law of Helping Dogs in Islam

Have you ever seen a dog that is laying and helpless, so we feel pity in our heart and we want to help it?

If we see a helpless animas in a bad condition, we must feel pity in our heart. But, how if that animal is a dog as a haram animal in Islam? May a Moslem help it in any conditions? Here is the Islamic explanation about that.

Based on the hadith from Abu Hurairah Radhimahulullah, The Messenger of Allah SAW said :

“Whoever care a dog, then good deeds of a Moslem will be less every day as one qiroth (one qiroth is as big as Uhud Mountain), beside a dog to take care plants or livestock that is more useful.” 

From the hadith above, it has been clear if there is a prohibition for Moslems to care a dog at home, because that animal can be used to useful things such as taking care plants or livestock. This thing has been explained in Al-Qur’an Surah Al-Maidah verse 4, too.

They ask you “What has been made lawful for them?” Say “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you and mention the name of Allah upon it. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.” (Q.S. Al-Maidah : 4)

See also : Law of hunting in Islam

Although a dog is considered as najis, but if a Moslem help and save it, it is no problem.

Ulama have explained how to clean or lose the najis of a dog in Islam, is it right? So, what must be a problem if that relates the soul of an animal which is also a creature of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala?

The dog must be considered as najis, that has mentioned by Ulama of Syafiiyah and Hanabillah. They said that the najis of the dog is a heavy najis (najis mugholladzoh). The way to clean it is not same with other najis (dirt, etc). [AdSense-B]

The najis of the dog is not only from its saliva, but also it comes from all of its body.

Some Ulama has explained about this. When the saliva of the dog is najis, then other body parts of it are najis, too. Basically, the saliva comes from inside an animal.

Automatically, if the saliva of the dog is considered as a najis, it has been clear that other body parts of it are najis, too. So, if someone mentioned that the najis of the dog is only from its saliva all this time, then it is not true.

It is also mentioned in the book of Safinah which explains :

“Najis are divided into 3 groups, they are najis mughallazah, najis mukhaffafah and najis mutawassithah.” The heavy najis is najis that comes from a dog, a pig and the children of them. You may also read prohibition of swine in Islam.

As for najis mukhaffafah is derived from the urine of a small child who still has not eaten other than his mother’s milk. And for najis mutawassithah is all of najis’s forms. See also cleanliness in Islam.

In Islam, although a Moslem only touch or hold a dog, he has to clean like he clean najis mughallazah. The way is purified by seven times and one of them is mixed with dust (clay). When we want to help a dog, we should see the condition and state of itself. If the condition has been serious, we have to help it.

Islam learns its people to do benefits of good deeds, right? Whether it is for the neighbor as well as other creation of Allah SWT including with a dog. Please note that the najis of a dog can be still cleaned or purified with the way and conditions above. [AdSense-C]

As for the haram of a dog lies when a Moslem has consumed its meat. In this case, helping a dog is allowed. Even it can give a reward and clear all the sins of Adam’s son. It has also informed by Rasulullah SAW through the hadith of Imam Bukhari :

The Prophet Muhammad SAW told that there was a man who met a dog. The dog ate dust because it felt hungry when it was in the dessert. Then that man looked for one of springs to take its water and he gave it to that dog. Rasulullah SAW said :

“Then Allah SWT has thanked to him and forgiven all sins of that man.”

See also : Ways how to get sins forgiven in Islam

Besides that, the hadith of Ath-Thabrani in Al-mu’jam Al-Kabir said : “Love every creatures in this world, so that are in the heaven will also love you.” (Narrated by Ath-Thabrani number 896)

Rasulullah SAW has said :

“People who have affection, then they will be loved by Allah SWT. Then love every creatures in this world, so you will be also loved by the hosts of heavens, they are angels.”  (Narrated by Abu Daud number 3522)

See also : Importance of love in Islam

From the explanation above, Islam advises us to care and love all creatures of Allah SWT. In this case, it can be concluded that the law of helping dogs in Islam is allowed. Hopefully this article can be useful for you. Thank you.