The role of dogs in Islam has long been a topic of discussion, particularly regarding their purity and whether they can be used for beneficial purposes, such as guide dogs for the blind. The question arises: Does Islam forbid all contact with dogs, and does a dog’s presence in public spaces, such as a taxi or a mosque, make the area impure?
Divergent Views on the Purity of Dogs
Islamic scholars have expressed different views regarding the purity of dogs:
- Dogs Are Completely Impure: A minority of scholars believe that dogs, including their fur and saliva, are wholly impure.
- Only Saliva Is Impure: Many scholars hold that only a dog’s saliva is impure, and if it licks a utensil, it should be washed seven times (one with mud, or alternatively with antibacterial soap).
- Dogs Are Pure: Some scholars, such as Imam Malik, considered dogs pure like other animals unless they come into direct contact with impurities like feces or urine.
Despite these differences, Islamic teachings permit the use of dogs for beneficial services like hunting, guarding, herding, and assisting the blind.
The Islamic Ruling on Guide Dogs for the Blind
The Quran explicitly allows humans to train animals for specific tasks:
“They will ask thee as to what is lawful to them. Say: Lawful to you are all the good things of life. And as for those hunting animals which you train by imparting to them something of the knowledge that God has imparted to yourselves—eat of what they seize for you, but mention God’s name over it, and remain conscious of God: verily, God is swift in reckoning.”
(Quran 5:4)
Using analogy (qiyas), scholars conclude that dogs can be trained for purposes beyond hunting, such as guiding the blind, policing, and security.
Furthermore, hadith sources indicate that dogs entered the Prophet’s mosque without requiring purification of the space afterward (Sahih al-Bukhari). This suggests that a dog’s presence in a car, home, or public space does not inherently make it impure.
Compassion Toward Animals in Islam
Islam strongly emphasizes kindness to animals, as demonstrated in the well-known hadith:
“A prostitute was forgiven by Allah because she gave water to a thirsty dog in the desert. She descended into a well, filled her shoe with water, and let the dog drink. Allah forgave her sins due to that act of kindness.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This highlights the importance of treating all of God’s creatures with mercy.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach
Given these teachings, Muslims should accommodate guide dogs for the blind in public spaces. A taxi driver or business owner should not refuse service to a blind individual due to their dog. If necessary, washing clothes or hands with soap is sufficient for ritual purity.
Rather than rigidly adhering to personal interpretations, Islam calls for compassion, understanding, and adherence to the broader spirit of divine guidance.
May Allah grant us wisdom in understanding His laws and mercy in dealing with His creation. Ameen.