Question
I work in a company in the UK where the boss brings his dog with him. We Muslims avoid it, but sometimes the dog touches our body or its saliva gets onto our clothes. In such a case, do the clothes become impure? And if so, what is the correct way to wash them?
Answer by Faḍīlat al-ʿĀlim Khizr Hayat (may Allah preserve him)
The Shariah ruling on keeping a dog
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Whoever keeps a dog, other than a dog for herding livestock or for hunting, will have two qirats of his good deeds deducted every day.’
Permitted cases:
◈ It is permissible to keep a dog only for specific purposes such as herding livestock, farming, hunting, or tracking.
Prohibited cases:
◈ Keeping a dog as a hobby, or keeping it unnecessarily in the home or office, is impermissible, because:
◈ Angels of mercy do not enter a house.
◈ It becomes a cause of filth and foul smell.
◈ It renders utensils and items impure.
Matters of najasah (impurity)
◈ If a dog touches the body or clothes but no filth is left: in such a case the clothes or body do not become impure, and there is no need to wash them.
◈ If a dog soils the body or clothes through its saliva, sweat, or any liquid: that place will be considered impure and it will be necessary to wash it.
The method of washing
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘When a dog laps from a vessel, it must be washed seven times, one of which should be with dust.’
Method:
◈ Wash seven times, using dust in one of them.
◈ If dust is not available, a disinfectant soap or other alternative substances may be used (this is the view of some scholars).
◈ After cleaning with soap, it is necessary to complete the count of seven washings.
Practical guidance
The dog is in the boss’s control:
◈ If possible, inform the boss of your position and try to prevent the dog from being brought close to you.
◈ If the dog is not removed: if the boss is a non-Muslim and does not understand, then you are excused under the Shariah.
When the dog touches the body:
◈ If the dog merely touches and no filth is left, then your clothes and body are pure.
Summary
◈ If the dog’s saliva, sweat, or filth gets onto something, it is obligatory to wash the affected place seven times, one of them with dust.
◈ If there was only contact and no filth was left, there is no need to wash.
◈ It is better to inform the boss about the Islamic principles regarding keeping a dog, but if this is not possible, then you are free of blame.
واللہ اعلم
