feed an animal today.

NM: While I kind of agree that the idea that doing good deeds with the intention of earning rewards in the hereafter is a kind of reductive disintegration of morality may aslo seem to be extremely attractive from a philosophical perspective.

however having said that. God almighty while mentioning the rewards of good deeds he intends to address the natural desire for his mercy and blessings. Such humans who realize that they are indigent and needy of His special blessings to even sustain their existence.

Human kind have been informed that if they live a life of goodness , piety, morality etc , they shall not only earn the bliss , love and pleasures of their Merciful Creator - which is indeed the biggest reward for those with a strong faith in him, but shall also provide them with all that their hearts desire and shall grant them unimaginable bounties as a special gift from Him for living in accordance with what he loves of them to do..

I am kind to animals and care about/for them because I know this is the right thing to do...not because I may get some reward at some point, somewhere.

Decency is a way of life, not a "brownie point" system.

I came from the biggest Muslim country in the world with much more Muslim population compare to Saudi Arabia (which have 27 Million Muslim) and Pakistan (which have 134 Million Muslim). Total Muslim population in my country as per 2009 census are 221 Million peoples. Even we are the biggest, our country are more moderate and tolerant to several things which is banned in some other Muslim countries like example: relationships before married, using hijab or not is up to you as long as you do praying 5 times a day etc.. For a dog, some Muslim in my country kept a dog, even as a pets to be kept inside house. What we consider as haram or najis is their water coming from their mouth, but that water can be clean also as per Islamic rules. So for some peoples who kept a dog in my country they have no doubt to do it as long as they know how to clean it properly and never consume their meats. Understand that my statement will be refused by some people in QL, so I won't continue any further. This is only as an info, if you're not sure you are please to visit my country and see for yourself.. We are the biggest, means we are well educated in Islam, and we know what we are doing which is still can be tolerate..

remember what website you are on.... and the 1400 year old argument means nothing...

Thank you for posting this. It is indeed important to remember that dogs are Allah's creations too and require respect.

The 6 dogs and 6 cats (found an extremely desperate cat, last week), are way more companionship to me that some humans.

Like I posted on another website recently, if loving and caring for animals (Gods creatures that cannot speak for themselves), more than I care for most humans sends me to Hell, then thats where I'd rather be.

Britexpt: Amen to that!

I really can’t fathom the big fuss about having dogs in the house. And while I can understand that 1400 years ago, dogs were not vaccinated and so, the bad reputation about their uncleanliness, and the reason for their prohibition was justified. However in today's world that's no longer an issue because we have Vet’s and vaccine for animals are available everywhere.

Adopt a pet, feed an animal. An act of kindness will help you feel better and benefit the animal.

I'm not allowed to adopt any more pets :( My five moggies said no. No new kitties in the house.

LP:The purpose of this post is to highlight the importance of caring for animals regardless of their gender color or ethnicity!!!

Then the question arises: are dogs haram or are Muslims not human?

Dogs are wonderful creatures. They bond with humans, protect them and serve them and that has been true almost since God placed man on earth…..

Dogs are HARAAM in ISLAM

Only! If u want them for security but INSHIDE ROOMS

U wud have CATS...

Prophet(PBUH) loves CATS

Jazakhallahu khair brothers. But I just get the feeling the mods might be a bit peeved with the posting of hadiths and religious verdicts and views!

Still though the advises are quite beneficial and rather than contradicting can be followed in unison,for though we Muslims are discouraged from keeping dogs as pets in our homes, it still makes it obligatory on us to save them from harm and hunger and never cause them any pain.

I just found out a few days back, thanks to Qlers Britexpat and Xena, that the QAWS have a system that allows you to sponsor an animal on a monthly term at the shelter, though you may not be able to house them yourself at your home.

And remember also the hadiths of a man and a prostitute who were forgiven their sins for simply quenching the thirsts of dogs(will not post them here due to QL regulations). Imagine then how much rewarding it will be to feed an animal daily!

And of course on the same token remember the narration of the woman tortured in hell due to her cruel treatment and starving of a cat.

Even putting out food and water for the birds can in that way be a charitable act too.

All in all caring for animals and abstaining from ill treating them are great deeds indeed and should never be over looked and disregarded by anyone of any faith.

What is the ruling on raising dogs in the house?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

It is not permissible for a Muslim to keep a dog, unless he needs this dog for hunting, guarding livestock or guarding crops.

Al-Bukhaari (2145) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog, a qiraat from his good deeds will be deducted every day, except a dog for farming or herding livestock.”

Muslim (2978) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog that is not a dog for hunting, herding livestock or farming, two qiraats will be deducted from his reward each day.”

The qiraat is an amount that is known to Allaah, may He be exalted, and what is meant is that some of the reward for a person’s good deeds will be deducted.

See Sharh Muslim by al-Nawawi, 10/342; Fath al-Baari, 5/9

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, 4/241:

Muslim (2943) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding livestock or a dog for hunting, a qiraat will be deducted from his good deeds each day.” ‘Abd-Allaah said: Abu Hurayrah said: Or a dog for farming.

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to keep a dog for hunting and herding livestock, and also for farming.

Ibn Maajah (3640) narrated from ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

These ahaadeeth indicate that it is haraam to keep a dog, except for those which were exempted by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

With regard to keeping dogs, this is haraam and is in fact a major sin, because the one who keeps a dog, except those for which an exception has been made, will have two qiraats deducted from his reward every day.

It is by the wisdom of Allaah that like calls to like and evil calls to evil. It is said that the kaafirs, Jews, Christians and communists in the east and the west all keep dogs, Allaah forbid. Each one takes his dog with him and cleans it every day with soap and other cleansing agents. But even if he were to clean it with the water of all the seas in the world and all the soap in the world, it would never become pure! Because its impurity is inherent, and inherent impurity cannot be cleansed except by destroying it and erasing it altogether.

But this is by the wisdom of Allaah, and the wisdom of Allaah is that like calls to like and evil calls to Shaytaan because this kufr of theirs is by the inspiration of the Shaytaan and the command of the Shaytaan, for the Shaytaan enjoins evil, immorality, kufr and misguidance. So they are slaves to the Shaytaan and to their whims and desires, and they are also evil and love vile things. We ask Allaah to guide us and them. End quote.

Secondly:

Is it permissible to keep dogs to guard houses?

Answer:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made only three exceptions to the prohibition on keeping dogs: hunting, guarding livestock and guarding crops.

Some scholars are of the view that it is not permissible to keep a dog for any reason other than these three. Others are of the view that it is permissible to draw analogies between these three and similar or more likely cases, such as guarding houses, because if it is permissible to keep dogs to guard livestock and crops, it is more appropriate that it should be permissible to keep dogs to guard houses.

Al-Nawawi said in Sharh Muslim (10/340):

Is it permissible to keep a dog to guard houses, alleys and the like? There are two points of view. The first is that it is not permissible, because of the apparent meaning of the ahaadeeth, which clearly state that keeping dogs is forbidden except for farming, hunting and herding. The more correct view is that it is permissible, by analogy with those three cases, knowing that the reason that is understood from the ahaadeeth is necessity. End quote.

The view that was classed as saheeh by al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him), that keeping a dog to guard the house is permissible, was also classed as saheeh by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) in Sharh Saheeh Muslim. He said:

The correct view is that it is permissible to keep a dog to guard the house, because if it is permissible to keep a dog in order to benefit from it, as in the case of hunting, it is more appropriate that one be allowed to keep a dog in order to ward off harm and protect oneself.

End quote.

Dogs are not allowed as pets in Islam.

Dogs cannot be kept as pets , this is a custom of the Kaafir and Muslims are not allowed to imitate the Kaafir . Dogs can't be in the house because the Angels won't enter houses where dogs are.

Dogs are not to be household pets, sleeping indoors and dressing them up in clothes etc treating them like an accessory.Dogs like all of animals created by God are to be treated with respect and cared for.

You must have a purpose to owning the dog, a security dog etc. And that dogs medical, health and well being must be treated seriously and without causing any harm to the dog.They have to be fed, watered, exercised and have the correct medical treatment.