Question:
assalamu alaikum! My question was in regards to dogs in the house. do angels come into a person house if they have a dog?I heard they wouldnt enter the house but to me that wouldnt make sense considering they arent totally prohibited if there for protection,used for the blind, hunting etc..my other question is what if you started off having a dog as a pet but later use it or them for protection meaning they bark to let you know when someone is in or around the house is this okay? I just need clearification because im hearing many opinions.
Answer:
All praise is due to Allah.
Walaikum salam wrt wb, may Allah reward you for your question.
Keeping a dog inside of one’s house is prohibited. The Messenger of Allah, may the blessings of Allah and peace be upon him, stated in Bukhari: “The angels do not enter a home in which there is a dog.”
In another narration, Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding, hunting or farming, one qiraat (large amount of reward) will be deducted from his reward each day.” Narrated by Muslim
The way we understand these two texts together is that the dog kept for herding, hunting, or farming must be kept outside of the house.
Regarding keeping a guard dog, the scholars permitted this provided it does not enter the house, and one takes care that its saliva does not soil one’s vessels, clothing, and body, etc. This is because the saliva of a dog is considered a physical impurity which would invalidate ritual purity by the majority of the Ulema.
An exception is made for a seeing-eye dog that belongs to a blind person, since the Ulema state that “necessities permit the forbidden.”
And Allah knows best.