Walk through any neighborhood in Istanbul or certain parts of Brooklyn, and you’ll see something that might confuse you if you grew up hearing that Islam and dogs don’t mix. You’ll see young Muslim families walking Golden Retrievers. You might see a shopkeeper leaving out a bowl of water for a stray. Then, you’ll talk to someone else who thinks even touching a wet dog nose requires a full ritual washing of the soul. It’s complicated. So, do Muslims like dogs? The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It’s a massive "it depends."
Religion is rarely a monolith. Just like some Christians find certain music "sinful" while others blast it in the car, Muslims have a wide spectrum of views on canine companionship. Historically, the relationship has been defined by a mix of theology, hygiene, and local culture.
The Saliva Situation: Why the Tension Exists
Most of the "dogs are haram" (forbidden) narrative comes from specific interpretations of the Hadith—the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. It isn't actually in the Quran. The Quran mentions dogs in a pretty positive light, specifically in the story of the Companions of the Cave (Surah Al-Kahf), where a dog guarded a group of righteous believers for centuries.
But the Hadith are where things get sticky.
There are narrations suggesting that angels won't enter a house that has a dog or an image. More specifically, many Islamic schools of thought, particularly the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools, consider dog saliva to be najis (ritually impure). If a dog licks your clothes, you can't pray in them until they are washed. For a devout Muslim who prays five times a day, keeping a "lick-happy" Labrador inside a small apartment is basically a logistical nightmare.
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, a prominent professor of law at UCLA and a massive dog lover, has written extensively about this. He argues that much of the anti-dog sentiment is actually a later cultural "corruption" of the religion and isn't supported by the core ethics of Islam. He famously lived with several rescued dogs, including a fierce-looking but sweet German Shepherd. He’s one of the few scholars who publicly challenged the idea that dogs are inherently "unclean."
Working Dogs vs. Lap Dogs
If you go to a rural village in Morocco or Pakistan, you’ll see dogs everywhere. But they aren't wearing sweaters or sleeping on Casper mattresses. They are working.
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The Maliki school of jurisprudence—dominant in North Africa—is actually way more chill about dogs than other schools. Many Maliki scholars argue that dogs are not ritually impure at all. Even in more conservative interpretations, there is almost always an exception for:
- Hunting dogs (Salukis have been prized by Arab royalty for millennia).
- Guard dogs for livestock or property.
- Service dogs for the blind or disabled.
The tension usually arises around the idea of a "pet." In many traditional Muslim households, keeping an animal inside just for "fun" or "cuddles" is seen as a Western luxury that conflicts with the hygiene requirements of the home. It’s not that they hate the dog. They just don't want it on the rug where they put their forehead during prayer.
The "Dogs of Istanbul" Phenomenon
You can't talk about Muslims and dogs without looking at Turkey. In Istanbul, the street dogs are basically local celebrities. They are tagged, vaccinated by the city, and fed by everyone. You’ll see a man in a skullcap walking out of a mosque and pausing to pat a stray dog on the head.
This reflects a core Islamic value: Rahma (mercy).
There is a very famous Hadith taught to almost every Muslim child about a woman who saw a dog panting with thirst near a well. She climbed down, filled her shoe with water, and held it in her teeth while she climbed back out to give the dog a drink. According to the tradition, God forgave all her sins because of that one act of kindness to a dog.
So, does a Muslim like dogs? They are religiously obligated to be kind to them. Even the most conservative scholar will tell you that abusing a dog is a massive sin that can lead to hellfire. The "dislike" is usually about the mess, not the animal itself.
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Modern Shifts and the "Instagram Muslim"
Change is happening fast. In the last decade, there has been a massive surge in dog ownership among young Muslims in the UK, Canada, and the US.
Why? Because living in the West changes the context. When you’re lonely in a big city, a cat doesn't always cut it. Muslim millennials are increasingly adopting "hypoallergenic" breeds like Poodles or Goldendoodles, thinking (rightly or wrongly) that less shedding means less "impurity" to worry about.
Social media has also played a role. You’ll see influencers like manicured hijabis posing with their French Bulldogs. This is creating a bit of a generational rift. Grandma might refuse to enter a house with a dog, while the granddaughter considers the dog her "fur baby."
The Practical Reality of Being a Muslim Dog Owner
If you are a Muslim who wants a dog, or you're a non-Muslim wondering why your neighbor won't pet your puppy, it usually boils down to the "Wetness Rule."
In the Shafi'i tradition, if a dog is dry and you are dry, touching the dog doesn't make you "unclean." It’s the moisture—the saliva or a wet coat—that transfers the impurity. This is why many Muslims will happily pet a dog with the back of their hand or through a sleeve.
It’s a balancing act.
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There are also concerns about "extravagance." Some scholars argue that spending $3,000 on a designer puppy and $100 a month on gourmet kibble is israf (wastefulness) when there are people starving in the world. This isn't unique to Islam, but it’s a common argument used in religious circles to discourage dog ownership.
Cultural Nuance Matters
We have to distinguish between what the religion says and what people grew up with. In some cultures, dogs are associated with rabies, filth, and packs of aggressive strays. If you grew up in a place where dogs were a legitimate physical threat, you’re going to be "dog-avoidant." That has nothing to do with a prayer book and everything to do with trauma.
On the flip side, in Persian culture, there is a long history of appreciating dogs. The Saluki—the "Royal Dog of Egypt"—is a sight hound that has been a companion to Muslims for over a thousand years. These dogs were allowed inside tents and were treated with immense respect.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Dog Lovers and Muslims
If you’re a Muslim considering a dog, or someone trying to be respectful of your Muslim friends, here is the ground reality:
- Consult the Schools: If someone is Maliki, they probably won't mind the dog at all. If they are Shafi'i, they might be very careful about their clothes.
- The "Outdoor" Compromise: Many Muslims find a middle ground by keeping a dog but ensuring it has a very nice, heated kennel or stays in a specific "non-prayer" area of the house.
- Hygiene First: If a dog licks you, it’s not the end of the world. You just wash. Modern scholars like those at the Zaytuna Institute often emphasize that while hygiene is important, it shouldn't be used as an excuse for cruelty or irrational fear.
- Respect the Space: If you're a non-Muslim, don't assume your Muslim friend wants your dog jumping on them. It’s not necessarily that they "dislike" your dog; they might just be heading to prayer and don't want to have to change their entire outfit.
- Adoption is Key: If you're going to get a dog, look at rescues. The Islamic emphasis on saving lives and showing mercy fits much better with adoption than with supporting "puppy mills," which most scholars would find ethically problematic.
Basically, the "Do Muslims like dogs" question is shifting from a theological "no" to a cultural "maybe." While the spit might be a problem, the animal itself is increasingly being seen for what it is: a part of God's creation that deserves a decent life.
If you're interacting with a Muslim who seems hesitant around dogs, just ask. Most are happy to explain their personal "rules"—whether it's an allergy, a childhood fear, or a specific religious interpretation. Respect goes a long way, whether you have four legs or two.
To truly understand the dynamic, one should look at the local context. A Muslim in suburban London has a very different daily reality with animals than a farmer in rural Indonesia. The "rules" stay the same, but how they are lived out changes with the zip code.