Question:

I know in Islam we are not allowed to keep dogs as a pet but I want to know concerning this situation if I can keep a dog in the scenario mentioned:

1) Where I live it’s near a small town. It’s not exactly very dangerous although crime is slightly increasing and I think it’s best to keep a dog as a lookout like to keep watch to look after the house etc. although our house has not been burgled nor me or my family been mugged. Is it allowed in this case to keep a dog as a precaution?

2) Also, where I live it’s illegal to keep a dog outside in the front garden even in a doghouse because it’s seen as too intimidating for people who knock on the door. Is it ok to keep the dog in the back garden provided he has a doghouse and has food and water?

3) Is it allowed to take it for a walk as they need to be exercised or would this come under it being as a pet? Also can he pass through the house like go through the back door and he walks through the house to go out the front door so he can go for a walk?

Answer:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1) It is permissible to keep a dog in order to protect one's property from robbers. However, the dog should be kept outside the house.

في الدر المختار: فرع: لا ينبغي اتخاذ كلب إلا لخوف لص أو غيره فلا بأس به ومثله سائر السباع، عيني. وجاز اقتناؤه لصيد وحراسة ماشية وزرع إجماعا. وقال ابن عابدين رحمه الله: (قوله لا ينبغي اتخاذ كلب إلخ) الأحسن عبارة الفتح: وأما اقتناؤه للصيد وحراسة الماشية والبيوت والزرع فيجوز بالإجماع لكن لا ينبغي أن يتخذه في داره إلا إن خاف لصوصا أو أعداء للحديث الصحيح «من اقتنى كلبا إلا كلب صيد أو ماشية نقص من أجره كل يوم قيراطان» ( رد المحتار: 5/227 ط سعيد )

2) Yes, there is nothing wrong in that.

3) Whatever exercise it needs, it will do in the backyard. Taking dogs for a walk is the salient trait of those who claim that a dog their best friend.

And Allah Ta'ala knows best.

Mufti Faizal Riza
2/1/2014

Darul Ifta Australia
www.fatwa.org.au

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