Q: Are you allowed to keep a dog outside your house and take care of it? Also, if you keep miniature dogs with an intention to look after them is it sinful? Also, if you find a stray dog and keep it to take care of it is it permissible?
A: It should be borne in mind that Shari’ah has granted permission to keep dogs in order to fulfil certain needs e.g. keeping dogs for security reasons, hunting, or to assist one as in the case of a blind person. As far as keeping dogs as pets is concerned, then it is not permissible. It causes one’s rewards to decrease and prevents the angels of mercy from entering one’s home.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)