Keeping a dog for guarding within the neighborhood

Question:
May Allah reward you. The questioner asks: What is the ruling on using a dog for guarding within the neighborhood? I live in the city of Riyadh, and my house has been stolen from more than once.

Answer:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) granted a dispensation for keeping a dog for three matters. The first is livestock; one who has livestock and sheep takes a dog to guard them. The second is agriculture; a person who has a farm and needs a dog to guard it so that the fruits are not stolen. The third is, first, livestock, second, agriculture, and third, hunting; a hunting dog. One takes a dog for hunting, a dog trained for hunting. Other than these three, it is not permissible to keep dogs. You are in the city of Riyadh, and praise be to Allah, with neighbors and among people, so you do not need a dog. However, if you were in a prominent house, if you were in a prominent house and had no neighbors, it would be permissible for you to take a dog for guarding. But as long as you are living with people and neighbors, and within the town, and this also harms the neighbors, do not keep a dog in your house. Yes.