Shar‘i Ruling on Selling a Hunting Dog
Question:
Respected scholars, is it permissible to receive payment for a hunting dog in Islam?
Answer by:
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
1. Prophetic Prohibition Based on Ḥadīth
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared the earnings from a dog to be impure and forbidden.
Narrated by Abū Masʿūd al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the price of a dog, the earnings of a prostitute, and the payment to a fortune-teller.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2237)
2. Exception for Certain Types of Dogs
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever keeps a dog that is neither for hunting, nor for guarding livestock, nor for protecting land, will lose two qīrāṭ (portions) of reward every day.”
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 4295)
➤ This narration indicates that three types of dogs are exempted:
✔ Hunting dogs
✔ Guard dogs for livestock
✔ Guard dogs for agricultural land
3. Scholarly View on Selling a Hunting Dog
✔ Some scholars argue that, based on the above exception, the buying and selling of hunting dogs is permissible.
✘ Other scholars hold a general prohibition on selling any type of dog, relying on the ḥadīth that forbids the price of a dog without specifying type.
➤ This is a matter of scholarly disagreement (ikhtilāf).
Summary:
❖ There is scholarly difference of opinion on the permissibility of selling a hunting dog.
✔ Some scholars allow it as an exception based on ḥadīth allowing the keeping of hunting dogs.
✘ Others consider all dog-related earnings prohibited, in line with the general prophetic prohibition.
Caution is advised, and one should seek guidance from a qualified local scholar if involved in such a transaction.
