Is the keeping of a dog permissible?

Chapter on Selling the Musarrah (Animal with milk retained in udder)

Al-Mughni

Book of Sales

Book 12 · Issue 1 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The keeping of a dog is forbidden, except for a dog used for hunting, herding livestock, or guarding cultivated land (crops). This ruling is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated: 'Whoever keeps a dog except for a dog of hunting, livestock, or cultivation, one qirat will be deducted from his reward daily.' A supporting narration from Ibn Umar states that two qirats will be deducted daily. The narration is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh).