The Ruling on Keeping Dogs and Cats in the Home

Question:
Another questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, in our present time, some people keep domestic cats and small dogs in their homes for the purpose of raising them. What is the Shari'ah's view, in your opinion, on this practice?

Answer:
As for dogs, it is not permissible to keep them except for what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) excluded: a dog for guarding, guarding a farm or guarding livestock, or a dog for hunting, a trained hunting dog. For these three purposes only. Beyond that, it is not permissible, and it reduces his reward by a span each day, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. It is not permissible to mix with dogs, accompany them, or bring them into homes. This is a habit of the disbelievers. As for Muslims, they are prohibited from doing so because of the harms, diseases, and other dangers associated with dogs. In the hadith: Is it fitting for a Muslim to prevent the angels from entering his home? Angels of mercy, and thereby lose out because of a dog? Only an ignorant person or one who imitates the disbelievers would do this. As for cats, it is permissible to keep them out of need, as they are among those who circulate around us, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Among those who circulate around us are those who sleep."

The presenter:
May Allah reward you