Source: Urdu Commentary of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam from the Sayings of the Best of Mankind
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade the price of a dog, the earnings of a prostitute, and the fee of a soothsayer.”
The money obtained from selling dogs used for fighting, racing, or even as pets without necessity.
مهر البغي (Earnings of a Prostitute):
Income earned through immoral or unlawful means such as adultery or fornication, including dancing and entertainment meant to allure.
حلوان الكاهن (Fee of a Soothsayer):
Payment collected by fortune-tellers or those claiming knowledge of the unseen and resolving problems through deceit and trickery.
As narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the sale of dogs and cats, except for a hunting dog.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i: 4668 – Chain is reliable)
Hadith References:
“The price of a dog is impure, the earnings of a prostitute are impure, and the income of a cupper (ḥajjām) is impure.”
A person who performs ḥijāmah (cupping).
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2158, Sahih Muslim: 1202]
Thus, the impurity here may refer to dislike or lesser desirability, not a ruling of prohibition.
Hadith Reference:
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir
✿ Hadith : Prohibited Earnings
Narrated by: Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه)“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade the price of a dog, the earnings of a prostitute, and the fee of a soothsayer.”
✿ Explanation of Vocabulary:
ثمن الكلب (Price of a Dog):The money obtained from selling dogs used for fighting, racing, or even as pets without necessity.
مهر البغي (Earnings of a Prostitute):
Income earned through immoral or unlawful means such as adultery or fornication, including dancing and entertainment meant to allure.
حلوان الكاهن (Fee of a Soothsayer):
Payment collected by fortune-tellers or those claiming knowledge of the unseen and resolving problems through deceit and trickery.
✿ Explanation of the Hadith:
✔ Selling ordinary dogs and cats is prohibited. However, an exception is made for dogs used for legitimate purposes like farming or guarding.As narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the sale of dogs and cats, except for a hunting dog.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i: 4668 – Chain is reliable)
Hadith References:
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Sales, Hadith: 2237
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Musaqah, Hadith: 1567
✿ Hadith : Description of Impure Earnings
Narrated by: Rafi‘ ibn Khadij (رضي الله عنه)“The price of a dog is impure, the earnings of a prostitute are impure, and the income of a cupper (ḥajjām) is impure.”
✿ Explanation of Vocabulary:
الحجام (Cupper):A person who performs ḥijāmah (cupping).
✿ Clarification:
Imam Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id states that the word "خبيث" (impure) does not definitively indicate prohibition. In fact, the Prophet (ﷺ) himself underwent cupping and paid the practitioner, which proves the cupper’s income is not haram.[Sahih al-Bukhari: 2158, Sahih Muslim: 1202]
Thus, the impurity here may refer to dislike or lesser desirability, not a ruling of prohibition.
Hadith Reference:
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Musaqah, Hadith: 4095
