22/10. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1574a — Deeds Reduced for Keeping Dogs
The command to kill dogs, and its abrogation. The prohibition of keeping dogs, except for hunting, farming, (herding) livestock and the like
Hadith on Keeping Dogs and Losing Two Qirat Daily
Sahih Muslim : 1574a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1574a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنِ اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا إِلاَّ كَلْبَ مَاشِيَةٍ أَوْ ضَارِي نَقَصَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ قِيرَاطَانِ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who keeps a dog other than that meant for watching the herd or for hunting loses every day out of his deeds equal to two qirat.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1574aIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 62USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3815
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1574a
This Hadith is often searched as “whoever keeps a dog loses two qirat hadith.” Ibn Umar reported that Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said whoever keeps a dog other than one meant for watching the herd or hunting loses every day from his deeds equal to two qirat. The text is clear about two exceptions: herd watching and hunting. It also clearly mentions a daily loss from deeds. The explanation should not turn this into claims about every possible case not mentioned here. The main lesson is that keeping a dog without the stated need is treated seriously in the Hadith. It teaches Muslims to weigh habits against their effect on deeds.
What we learn from this hadith
- Keeping a dog without the stated need is warned against.
- Herd-watching dogs are mentioned as an exception.
- Hunting dogs are mentioned as an exception.
- The Hadith says two qirat are lost from deeds each day.
