22/10. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1574e — Dogs for Hunting, Herds, and Fields
The command to kill dogs, and its abrogation. The prohibition of keeping dogs, except for hunting, farming, (herding) livestock and the like
Dog Keeping in Islam: Hunting, Herds, Fields, and Reward
Sahih Muslim : 1574e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1574e
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا حَنْظَلَةُ بْنُ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنِ اقْتَنَى كَلْبًا إِلاَّ كَلْبَ ضَارٍ أَوْ مَاشِيَةٍ نَقَصَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ قِيرَاطَانِ " . قَالَ سَالِمٌ وَكَانَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ يَقُولُ " أَوْ كَلْبَ حَرْثٍ " . وَكَانَ صَاحِبَ حَرْثٍ .
Salim Narrated from:
Salim reported on the authority of his father (Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: He who kept a dog other than one meant for hunting or for the protection of the herd would lose two qirat of his deeds every day. Salim said: Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) used to say: Or the dog meant for watching the field, and he was the owner of the land.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1574eIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 66USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3819
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1574e
This narration repeats the warning about dog keeping in Islam with a slight wording that should be read carefully. It says that whoever keeps a dog other than one meant for hunting or protecting the herd loses two qirat of his deeds every day. Salim then reports that Abu Huraira used to mention the dog kept for watching the field, and the text notes that Abu Huraira owned land. The hadith is focused on a clear issue: keeping a dog without the named need. It does not discuss every possible animal matter. It reminds Muslims that even common household choices can be tied to reward and accountability.
What we learn from this hadith
- The report names hunting and herd protection as accepted uses.
- Abu Huraira also mentioned field protection in this narration.
- The warning is tied to daily loss from deeds, so it is not presented as a small matter.
- The text shows the value of reading each narration with its exact wording.
