Why does Islam teach that dogs are dirty/bad?

Question

I just got a working dog to help my disabled, aged mother and many of my neighbors (predominantly Muslim immigrants) are reacting in a way I don't quite understand.

I wanted to know more than "it is against our religion, and dogs carry more diseases than any other animal because of the way they clean themselves, then may lick you in the face, etc".

I found some info & one of the Quran references spoke of an incident where the prophet told the people to kill all dogs because he missed a visit from the angel Gabriel due to a puppy being under the his bed, therefore the angel was forbidden to enter the house to give him a blessing.

There were other Quran quotes, but can a practicing Muslim please answer? After all these years I don't want to think that now someone may try to kill our dog b/c of a belief. I'm pretty familiar with much of the doctrines, however this one is a little troubling.

There are several answers that helped me very much so I want to Thank all of you that were serious with your answers.

Answer 1

Muslims don't hate dogs and the Prophet never told anyone to kills dogs. In fact, in the Qur'an there is a story about a dog that helped some people who were in trouble and that dog will go to paradise.

Black dogs can be possessed by the devil, especially when they act crazy, so they are kind of frowned upon. Also, dogs are not really allowed in the house (unless it is for helping people) because they tend to not be that clean... they are supposed to be kept outside.

Islam also recommends you keep a dog when you have a farm with farm animals to help keep the heards in line.

Answer 2

well sorry that they said dogs spread diseases. well human today carry more diseases than animals plants or birds. the most common and painful diease called hate.

well im a muslim and i have a shetland sheep dog. agreed that angels dont enter the house where there are dogs. dogs and horses can see spirits and they bark at them driving them away (angels includeed).

but man should not forget that dog is a man's best freind as well.

and muslims should also never 4get the hadith that muhammed(pbuh) would touch and pat a dog's forehead saying that it was the most cleanest of the rest of the dog. when he could do that then who are v to ?

today a dog is more trustworthy than humans and more clean at heart than us, so teaching us, rather than us teachin them.

shall i ask u people a ?

do u do many good deeds ( not just u but even muslims too) to the best of ur capacity.
do u help needy people around u.
do u prevent urself from bad mouthin others.
do u follow every word of God as ur command?

if u do then dont worry Allah will 4give you for keeping u a dog.

Answer 3

the Q uran or prophet PBUH dpes not say to kill the dogs i dont know from where u got that ??
Islam bans the killin of animals and the Prophet PBUH banned it for the arabians and halted the sacrifice of animals to the idols
The dog is not liked by us muslims becuz of its
1 violent and unpredictable behaviour
2 the ticks in dogs hav been found to spread the worst of diseases
3 conga fever was also started by the tick
4 ur a non muslim and can surely keep a dog
but i myself would serve my disabled mothe r rather than let a tick carrying dog take care for her
i m sorry if u take it badly what i said but u must agree that dogs r extremely unpredictable after all it is an animlal

Answer 4

Islam does not have problem with having dog when you need it.
For example Shepperd dog or protecting dog, watch dog and so on.
There is nothing in Quran against having dog. More than that
in Quran there is a story about ASHABE KAHF. They were very
good people and they had a dog.
The only thing is that if you have a dog for no good reason then
it is better not to have it. In fact it is not prohibited at all but it is
recommended strongly to not to keep dog when you do not need it.

Answer 5

Islam doesn't say dogs are bad ,but yes they are dirty you should wash your hands in a certain way and its bit hard that's why Muslims try not to touch dogs,but some have to have it like farmers and the ones who live in villages and they do ,its not against Islam to keep a dog
and that angle story I never heard and don't think its true
and in Islam you can not kill animals and their are many stories about Mohamed that kept animals and fed them.

Answer 6

Not to worry too much.

Islam does not teach such a silly thing.Plse remember,some infos are passed around to scare people away from Islam

If the dog is helpful to your disabled,aged mother then having the dog should be a priority.

Answer 7

Please know that dogs are allowed to be kept as sentrys when you fear wild animals or robbers etc, staying in outhouses, away from your living quarterss, but you are not supposed to live with them in close proximity.

In special circumstances such as your mom's situation, it may also be allowed, if the dog is trained, is kept clean and after that God knows best.

However, dogs from time immemorial have been the main carriers of rabies, and infect more human beings with that dreaded disease which used to frequently result in death.

Dogs also copulate in public in broad daylight, with two dogs stuck with each other and other dogs watching them copulate or making a big ruckus. The female dogs bleed when in heat, and are inviting sex from male dogs. Also, dogs can stink really bad as they do not keep themselves clean (as the cats tend to do), lick their own gentials and the genitals and anuses of other dogs as introduction to each other.

Stray dogs can attack, bite and generally create a nuissance when they are not being controlled.

China just killed all the dogs in one of their cities, because they had become a menace. They had killed four people. Dogs can act like wolves in packs and threaten lone people, old people, children and animals. Anyone who has ridden a bike with a dog chasing him remembers that experience for a long time.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 8

Religions are usually made of load of myths - sad situation

I just saved a cute puppy from getting run over by a dump truck - check my 360 page - you will see a photograph !

Cute ya?

Answer 9

you got it almost right.....except..there is no mention of killing the animal....
According to Islam it is not permitted to keep a dog except within narrowly-defined limits..and that is if one need a protection...but even in that situation ..one has to keep the pet ..out side the living spaces...or if one is .in .need of protection....but still..even in that situation ..the pet needs to be out side the living spaces...

there for...pet dogs are not...to be killed....but there are rules in keeping them..since.....they posses a verity of germs...and these germs are...possible to kill ...which are in the alimentary canal...
though i am not seeming to remember the full name of the microbe that is present in the mouth of dog......its called bovis...some thing......which is know to cause disease...
there fore....its ..considered..not clean.....and since a Muslim has to pray 5 times a day....and one need to be clean and pure...to face..his/her lord... it would ..be hard to keep a dog and pray....

but ...let me a assure you....killing ..dogs is not permitted..

Answer 10

Probably coz at that time the ppl dint have gud protection agaisnt these diseases..they had no vaccinations either.So god had to make sure to keep the ppl safe from diseases.