22/10. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1574d — Dog Keeping and Reward Loss
The command to kill dogs, and its abrogation. The prohibition of keeping dogs, except for hunting, farming, (herding) livestock and the like
Hadith About Keeping Dogs and Daily Reward Loss
Sahih Muslim : 1574d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1574d
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ، وَابْنُ، حُجْرٍ قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي حَرْمَلَةَ - عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنِ اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا إِلاَّ كَلْبَ مَاشِيَةٍ أَوْ كَلْبَ صَيْدٍ نَقَصَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ قِيرَاطٌ " . قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَقَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ " أَوْ كَلْبَ حَرْثٍ " .
Salim bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
Salim b. 'Abdullah reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: He who kept a dog other than one meant for watching the herd or for hunting would lose every day two qirat of his good deeds. 'Abdullah and Abu Huraira also said: Or dog meant for watching the field.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1574dIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 65USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3818
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1574d
This hadith about keeping dogs gives a clear warning in simple words. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says that a person who keeps a dog, except a dog used for watching the herd or for hunting, loses two qirat from his good deeds every day. The report also adds the wording of Abdullah and Abu Huraira that a dog used for watching the field is included. So the core point is not a broad talk about animals in general. It is about keeping a dog without one of the stated needs. The hadith teaches a believer to take reward seriously and to think carefully about daily choices that may reduce good deeds.
What we learn from this hadith
- Keeping a dog is treated seriously when it is outside the stated needs.
- The narration names allowed needs such as hunting and guarding livestock.
- The report also mentions field protection through the words of Abu Huraira and Abdullah.
- A believer should weigh personal habits against their effect on reward.
