Dogs

I love poetry and art too..I didn't give either up..
I enjoyed learning art history immensely and I believe it has helped me understand many historical facts as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.. I frequent museum exhibits often..

I must admit I didn't know about the Music thing and used to be a piano player as it was mandatory to take instruments in my school.. but I have always had more fun listening than playing.. when one is playing one is focused on not missing notes rather than enjoying the melodies.. and I simply substituted that with beautiful suras, they have a far more profound effect on me.. but that is something that one experiences on a personal level..

I think you can keep a dog as a guard dog but not inside the house, but I wouldn't quote me on that..

peace

Dogs
According to Quran and Sunnah

Angels Don't Enter


Hadith - Bukhari 3:515, Narrated Abu Huraira

I heard Allah's Apostle saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."


Hadith - Muslim, Narrated 'Aisha

Gabriel made a promise with Allah's Messenger to come at a definite hour; that hour came but he did not visit him. And there was in his hand (in the hand of Allah's Apostle) a staff. He threw it from his hand and said: Never has Allah or His messengers (angels) ever broken their promise. Then he cast a glance (and by chance) found a puppy under his cot and said: Aisha, when did this dog enter here ? She said: By Allah, I don't know. He then commanded and it was turned out. Then Gabriel came and Allah's Messenger said to him: You promised me and I waited for you, but you did not come, whereupon he said: It was the dog in your house which prevented me (to come), for we (angels) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.

Hadith - Bukhari 3:515, Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle." Abu Huraira (in another narration) said from the Prophet, "unless it is used for guarding sheep or farms, or for hunting." Narrated Abu Hazim from Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A dog for guarding cattle or for hunting."

A Barking Dog at Night


Hadith - Abu Dawood 5084, Narrated Jabi ibn Abdullah, r.a.

The Prophet said: When you hear the barking of dogs and the braying of asses at night, seek refuge in Allah, for they see which you do not see.

Hadith - Muslim, Narrated Maymunah

One morning Allah's Messenger was silent with grief. Maymunah said: Allah's Messenger, I find a change in your mood today. Allah's Messenger said: Gabriel had promised me that he would meet me last night, but he did not meet me. By Allah, he never broke his promises; and Allah's Messenger spent the day in this sad (mood). Then it occurred to him that there had been a puppy under their cot. He gave an order and it was turned out. He then took some water in his hand and sprinkled it on the place. When it was evening Gabriel met him and he said to him: You promised me that you would meet me the previous night. He said: Yes, but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture. So the very next morning he commanded the dogs to be killed. He announced that the dog kept for the orchards should also be killed, but he spared the dog used for the protection of extensive fields (or big gardens).


Hadith - Mishkat, Transmitted by Abu Dawud and Darimi

The Prophet said, "Were dogs not a species of creature I should command that they all be killed; but kill every pure black one." [Muslim, Narrated AbuDharr: "...The black dog is a devil."]



Hadith - Muwatta 2.36

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zinad from al-Araj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah said, "If a dog drinks from your vessel, wash it seven times."


Action Items for the uttaqun:

Do not allow a dog in your house as a pet or any other non-necessary reason.

When you hear a dog bark at night, say "audhu billah" ("I seek refuge in Allah").

Do not own a dog unless used for hunting, or as a guard dog to people or animals such as cattle, or any other necessary reason such as a help to the blind, etc.

It is no sin to kill a rabid dog, even in the Masjid

If using a dog for hunting, always say "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) before releasing it to catch prey. If another dog may have killed the animal other than the one you said "Bismillah" on, then do not eat the animal.

Kill a dog that is pure black. Take the pure black dog to the dog pound; they automatically "put down" (i.e. "put to sleep", kill) a dog after a few weeks of no-one claiming the dog.

Do not sell a dog for a price.

Have mercy on a dog (that is not pure black) who needs help to survive.

Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!