The majority of both Sunni and Shi'a Muslim jurists consider dogs ritually unclean. It is uncommon for practicing Muslims to keep dogs as pets. However, the majority of Muslims would touch and pet dogs as long as they are completely dry because touching dry dogs is believed to remove impurities from them.
Although many Muslims in other countries do not view touching dogs as forbidden, conservative Islamic groups here say the Shafie school of Islamic jurisprudence that they follow views dogs as unclean and requires the faithful to undergo a ritualistic wash if they come into contact with canines.
Nevertheless, Islamic scholars have tended to regard dogs' saliva as impure; practically, this means anything licked by a dog necessitates washing. Many Islamic jurists allowed owning dogs for herding, farming, hunting, or protection, but prohibited ownership for reasons they regarded as "frivolous".
Islamic attitudes towards dogs
In Islamic culture, dogs are perceived as 'ritually impure'. Apparently, the Prophet Muhammad once said that dogs may only be kept for acceptable reasons, such as farming, hunting or herding. In these instances though, the dog should be kept outside the home.
Why did Prophet Muhammad allow Muslims to keep cats as pets inside their house but not dogs except for hunting or guarding outside of your house? The dogs are considered to be unclean especially their saliva which carries lots of rabies and other germs.
Unlike dogs, cats have been revered for centuries in Muslim culture. So much so, that one of Prophet Muhammad's companions was known as Abu Hurairah (Father of the Kittens) for his attachment to cats. The Prophet himself was a great cat-lover– Muezza was the name of his favourite cat.
Sayyidina 'Umar (ra) was even concerned about the animals during his rule as Amir (or head of the Islamic empire). Let me clarify a few myths: It is not haraam to own a dog, though it is not hygienic and, therefore, not permissible to keep a dog in the house.
The majority of both Sunni and Shi'a Muslim jurists consider dogs ritually unclean. It is uncommon for practicing Muslims to keep dogs as pets.
Dogs in Islam, as they are in Rabbinic Judaism, are conventionally thought of as ritually impure. This idea taps into a long tradition that considers even the mere sight of a dog during prayer to have the power to nullify a pious Muslim's supplications.
Germany is one of the dog-friendliest countries in the world. Virtually every business welcomes dogs and provides them with water and treats. Home to the largest animal sanctuary in Europe, you may want to bring one back home with you when visiting.
In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. They are considered to be ritually clean, and are thus allowed to enter homes and even mosques, including Masjid al-Haram.
For those who aren't aware, tattoos are considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. There is no specific Islamic verse outlining this point but many people believe wudu (the purification ritual) cannot be completed if you have a tattoo on your body.
There is a general consensus among Sunni and Shia fiqh experts that Surah Al-Baqarah 221 and Surat Al‑Mumtahanah 10 ban Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men. This consensus is still standing strong. On the other hand, the Quran allows Muslim men to marry non-Muslim women (“People of the Book”).
The major source of gelatin is pigskin and is using in processed food and medicinal products. Though the use of food products adulterated with porcine-derived gelatin create concerns in the mind of Muslim communities, as in Islam; it is not acceptable or literally, it is called Haram in Islam Religion.
Can Muslims touch foxes? This is a matter of debate amongst Muslim scholars. Opinions differ, but many Muslim scholars classify a fox as being different from a dog, meaning it is permissible to touch foxes. For people who are concerned about the risk of disease, don't worry: the foxes here are free of echinococcosis.
Drinking alcohol is considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam. As proof of the prohibition, Islamic scholars and Muslim religious authorities typically point to a verse in the Quran, the Muslim holy book, that calls intoxicants “the work of Satan” and tells believers to avoid them.
Ali said the Koran is clear that Muslim men are allowed to marry non-Muslim women as long as their brides are “People of the Book” — Christians or Jews, both of whom recognize Abraham as their spiritual forefather, as Muslims do. A Muslim woman, however, cannot marry a non-Muslim man unless he converts.
Pork is a food taboo among Jews, Muslims, and some Christian denominations. Swine were prohibited in ancient Syria and Phoenicia, and the pig and its flesh represented a taboo observed, Strabo noted, at Comana in Pontus.
Dogs as sacred animals
Dogs are considered our friends and loyal servants, and are worshipped in parts of India and Nepal as the guardian of ancestors. Imagine that! Every year and especially in Nepal, Hindus celebrate Tihar – a five-day festival of lights.
Islamic practices intend to be kind to all animals, even as they are slaughtered, due to the strict guidelines set forth in the Qur'an to respect all animals.
The practice of vegetarianism is strongly linked with a number of religious traditions worldwide. These include religions that originated in India, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
There is no Jewish prohibition against owning pets, and while data on Jewish pet ownership was difficult to locate, anecdotal evidence suggests that pet ownership is not uncommon among Jews, even in the Orthodox community.
The Islamic views on tobacco vary by region. Though tobacco or smoking in general is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or hadith, contemporary scholars have condemned it as potentially harmful, and have at times prohibited smoking outright (declared it haram) as a result of the severe health damage that it causes.
Many Muslim scholars now do not see the beard as an obligation and do shave their beards. Muslims learn about the Prophet's views on facial hair not from the Koran, but through hadith - or sayings - attributed to Muhammad.
Here's a selection of the many references to dogs in the King James Bible: Revelation 22:15: “For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Philippians 3:2: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”