Thread: Visiting my parents

Assalamu alaikum,

I've been Muslim for a year now, but I'm still learning and hope that people here can help me a bit.

I live in Indonesia with my husband, and we are planning a trip to Canada for him to meet my parents for the first time. The one thing that is causing us some stress is the fact that my parents have a large dog. I've tried researching this, but there are just so many different 'rulings' out there and I don't know what to believe.

We don't have enough money to stay in a hotel for the three weeks we would be in Canada, and my parents would be really hurt if we did that. They understand that we are Muslim, and that my husband is very uncomfortable around dogs since he grew up thinking of them as dirty. But, it is not possible for them to make the dog stay outside for three weeks, or to send it away. The dog doesn't lick people, but of course he will want to smell us, and will seek attention from us. How do I explain this to my husband, and what advice should I give him to deal with it? I've read differing opinions, from it's okay as long as you don't touch the saliva, to you just have to wash your hands, to you have to make wudhu after touching the dog and/or saliva, to our prayers won't be accepted if we pray in a house where a dog lives. Let me also add that my parents live in a *very* small town, and the nearest mosque would be about 2 hours away so it isn't going to be possible for us to just pray in the mosque.

Please help me! But I don't need anyone to post saying Muslims can't have dogs, or we just can't touch them, etc (I already am aware of that). I just need help dealing with the situation please, since it's not in my power to change it. Thanks.

I would of asked if sticking the dog outside for the time being was possible but, I just realized you said Canada lol. Hm what about keeping the dog in an area of the house away from you guys? I remember when I was younger I went to a friends house that had a big dog and they had this little fence thing that blocked him from leaving the hallway. It was just big enough for him to not pass through but small enough to not get in the way. Or maybe have the neighbors or family friends watch the dog for the time being?

Not great advice, I know. Insha'Allah someone here will be able to better help you.

Originally Posted by Amanda

Assalamu alaikum,

I've been Muslim for a year now, but I'm still learning and hope that people here can help me a bit.

I live in Indonesia with my husband, and we are planning a trip to Canada for him to meet my parents for the first time. The one thing that is causing us some stress is the fact that my parents have a large dog. I've tried researching this, but there are just so many different 'rulings' out there and I don't know what to believe.

We don't have enough money to stay in a hotel for the three weeks we would be in Canada, and my parents would be really hurt if we did that. They understand that we are Muslim, and that my husband is very uncomfortable around dogs since he grew up thinking of them as dirty. But, it is not possible for them to make the dog stay outside for three weeks, or to send it away. The dog doesn't lick people, but of course he will want to smell us, and will seek attention from us. How do I explain this to my husband, and what advice should I give him to deal with it? I've read differing opinions, from it's okay as long as you don't touch the saliva, to you just have to wash your hands, to you have to make wudhu after touching the dog and/or saliva, to our prayers won't be accepted if we pray in a house where a dog lives. Let me also add that my parents live in a *very* small town, and the nearest mosque would be about 2 hours away so it isn't going to be possible for us to just pray in the mosque.

Please help me! But I don't need anyone to post saying Muslims can't have dogs, or we just can't touch them, etc (I already am aware of that). I just need help dealing with the situation please, since it's not in my power to change it. Thanks.

I feel for you. My wife hates dogs......and monkeys? Apparently there is a lot of monkeys in India.

I don't think this helped

Can the dog be put in a kennel?

All I can say is......watch out for the monkeys

God be with you.

As I said, staying in a hotel or sending the dog away is not an option. Also, I haven't seen my parents in two years and they have never met my husband, so I'm really not willing to put it off for another year to save money for a hotel. Obviously the dog wouldn't be allowed in our room, but it's hard to keep a large (100 lbs) dog in just a small area of a small house, so I'm sure at some point my husband will come into contact with it. And yes, Syilla, he is a bit afraid of the dog, which doesn't help the situation.

IbnAbdulHakim, I'm not offended, but I am curious... what would you do in this situation though... would you never visit your wife's family, and make her travel half way around the world by herself, just over a dog? Remember that money is difficult, and unfortunately sending it away or staying in a hotel is not possible. And my parents are a bit older, making a trip like this (almost 2 days by plane) very difficult for them. Like I said, I'm not offended or trying to argue, I am just genuinely curious.

Thanks! That is really helpful... just one question, and maybe it's a stupid one... is washing clothes in the washing machine with hot water enough to clean them if they come into contact with dog saliva?

Tide with bleach!

To stay close to the ruling I would do it by hand, wash seven times with something akin to earth, i.e. soap!

Assalamualaikum
This may help u.
http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/377/dogs