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Hadith on Killing Dogs

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Question:

Asalam Aleikum,
Dear Sir I would like if you could elaborate on the matter with regards to dogs in Islam.  Is there a Hadith that permits killings of dogs, and is it with regards to any dogs or black dogs? Thank You.

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

Regarding the command to kill dogs, the As-hab opined that it is permissible to kill a rabid dog; yet, a harmless dog, irrespective of its color, may not be killed. Imam al-Haramayn stated that the command to kill dogs was abrogated. It was related that the Prophet Muhammad ordered the killing of dogs. Then, that was abrogated, except for pure black dogs. And thereafter, killing any harmless dog was prohibited. Thus, it is only permissible to kill a dog that may cause harm, like one with rabies. (Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 3, p. 536 and v. 10, p. 1931)

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

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