There is considerable debate on whether dogs are viewed as “halal” or acceptable as a pet in Islam. I will not go into that aspect of the subject but I will address the rise in popularity of a dog as a pet in Saudi Arabia. I have noticed firsthand on my visits to numerous pet stores in Saudi Arabia that more Saudis are going to the pet stores to admire and purchase dogs than any other pet. Furthermore, discussions with three prominent vets in Riyadh further confirmed these observations. According to the veterinarians, who were all spoken to independently, they advised more and more Saudis were purchasing dogs as pets. German Shephards remained the most popular breed but many other breeds were available and pets of Saudis as well.
In a Saudi pet store one will see in addition to German Shephards, Labradors, Great Dane’s, Saint Bernard’s, Collies, pugs, poodles, schnauzers, shi’t zus, dalmations and many more differing breeds. Most of the vets are also familiar with who the breeders are in the Kingdom and the region. So if someone is looking for a specific breed and for whatever reason, does not wish to acquire the dog through a pet store, then ask any of the practicing vets in the Kingdom for assistance.
The typical Saudi who does choose to purchase a dog as a pet treats the dog well and makes sure it has received its shots. The Saudis are overall aware of the responsibility that comes with dog ownership but it is not unusual they may opt to have domestic help take the dog out for early morning walks as well as clean up after the dog.
Why does a Saudi choose to have a dog as a pet? Initially dogs were purchased as a means of providing security. But now, the Saudi who has chosen a dog does so for the same reasons as anyone else the world over. They like and appreciate the companionship they have found with having a dog. They also like the additional reassurance and feeling of security one may have with a dog rather than a cat as a pet. They enjoy the bonding and ability to play and interact with the dog. The dog makes them feel relaxed, happy, at ease and satisfied.
Filed under: culture, islam, pets, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Uncategorized
I find it funny they use someone else to walk and clean up after their pet. Do Saudi’s abhor physical work the way some other GCC nationals do?
Why should it be funny?
When I was living in London, it was not uncommon to see dog walkers in the parks with half a dozen dogs in tow. These people are paid to walk other people’s pets and to clean up after them in the park (as is obligatory by law)
Not all owners are able to go on the walks required by some dogs for a variety of reasons and there is nothing wrong with delegating that task.
Nothing wront with it, probably more common with Saudi’s and Emirati’s though… given that they’re more accustomed to paying someone else to pick up a shovel.
I just got a chihuahua and I luvvvv him. His breeder called him El Conquistador.
He had ego issues.
(still does)
I think there’s nothing weird about having somebody else walk your dog. Actually it’s the first thing my mum used to call out as we were trying for another pet to add to the zoo: ”I’m not going to do all the work! You look after it yourselves!”
And my father immediately left ”walking the dogs” to me when I arrived at their place.
I agree that “who walks the dog and picks up after it” is a universal issue! And yes, there is also a degree with Saudis and other muslims who feel that aspect (the cleaning up the doggie deposits) as unislamic.
Chihuahua’s are little characters, for sure!
I still don’t really understand the reasoning that dogs are “halal” in islam. Could you explain or direct me to where I can find out why? Did a dog bite the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh)?
OnigiriFB,
Halal means acceptable, permissible but many may view dogs as haram (unacceptable). My understanding for this has to do with cleanliness and the view for those believing dogs are haram are that they are unclean. Maybe someone else can explain it better than me.
I will take a stab at this and hopefully without getting commentators emotions going like the last time on the same topic
Owning a dog for purposes other than hunting, guarding or other work like sniffing for drugs, falls into an area that is not agreed on fully by all scholars. Like with every issue, Islam can have a ruling that may fall in one of the following 3 categories:
- Hallal: Approved
- Makrooh: unsanctioned/discouraged (an area that is close to Haram, but not quite there)
- Haram: Forbidden
Some scholars rule that owning a dog, for other than the reason given above, is Makrooh. There are Hadiths that refer to losing the benefits of good deeds (Hasanat) for every day a person owns a dog.
Other scholars ruled that owning the dog is outright Haram.
No scholars ruled that owning a dog is Hallal.
There is research on this that can fill many chapters in books, but the above is a summary.
Maybe owning a dog is a status thing; like when you’re up there you buy cars, houses, marry wives, go on vacations around the world and buy a dog.
It’s good to know that dogs are starting to be accepted way over there — though as what Saudi in US says, it’s discouraged.
Thanks for taking a great stab at explaining Islam, Saudis and dogs, Saudi in the US!
I think in some cases, F, owning a dog may also be a status thing…get your Hummer and cruise around with the pug or bull dog in the seat beside you!
F and Ted, welcome to the blog and thanks for your comments.
Hrm… it the “Paris Hilton” thing finally coming to the Kingdom? I noticed after PH became “famous” a lot of other people started carrying these little doggies everywhere. I personally love dogs and seeing the Oprah show on dog breeders that use horrible practices make me want to shoot the little starlets that think they need to carry a toy dog as a status symbol.
Hrm, I guess the haram/halal thing is another matter of ahadiths being interpreted? Or is actually in the Quran?
OnigiriFB,
It is from Hadith. The difference in the interpretation stems from the fact that prophet was not quoted as saying it is Haram, just spoke about the impact of losing Hasanat. Some scholars tend to be more conservative than others in interpretations.
Considering there are several hadith that promote the idea that feeding or watering a hungry dog is rewarded with the forgiveness of sins…and that there are hadith that mention dogs urinating in the Mosque and the prophet not ordering any harm for it even though his sahaba were ready to take action…and considering dogs have always been a part of Arab culture in regards to hunting etc….I dont see where and when the “haram to own one” came into the picture. The scholar Khalid Al Fadl suggests that a rabies outbreak could account for the fear Saudis suddenly developed for dogs and rather than take chances and keep dogs for personal reasons that might end up with rabies…they were eventually forbidden to own.them..in order to keep the community free from the potential harm of rabies. From other things I have read it sounds like a plausible scenario.
I might like to add that culture has a lot to do with deigning something to be haram or halal…and whether or not scholars from the past or present consider them haram for what ever reason…there is no clear cut ayat in the Quran(not even close) and the few hadith concerning them tend to contradict each other…so one is led to believe that the issue is not as clear cut or rather….haram and no debate about it…as some would like to believe. Just my opinions on that.
The fear of dogs is so great in some Arabs though that to own one could be dangerous…for you and for the dog. My dog Max was threatened with death many times in the 5months I owned him…and whichever of my children happened to be walking him at the time were also threatened with bodily harm or even had rocks thrown at them….i eventually gave him away when my neighbors wife came with a butcher knife ready to kill him because one of her children was spooked by his bark. Broke my kids hearts but Max’s safety was more important. I have never figured out exactly what it is about this culture that makes people feel they can dictate to you what you can do or not…what you can own or not…nothing seems to be left up to the individual to decide for themselves…whether or not owning a dog is haram shoudnt affect anyones standing with God except for the one owning the dog…in other words…its not your darn business so stay out of it and leave my dog alone. Sorry for the rant but I still miss Max.
It is a shame you went through such an experience Cool Red and thankfully you had the compassion to give up Max rather than undergo risks of abuse to him.
I’ve been thinking about this too. Dogs aren’t mentioned with for example pigs, who are haraam.
They are hardly mentioned at all anyway. They are mentioned in the sura of the people in the cave but only as sleeping amongst them, more even, the dog was included in the count as part of the group.
And there is a hadith that you should clean your bowl or pan carefully after your dog has eaten from it. There are different versions, from three times to one that states 7 times and once with dirt. So I suppose that this one hadith-version, that is more severe than all the others that don’t deem ritual cleaning neseccary, is taken as indirect proof that a dog’s saliva must be unclean, therefore a dog must be unclean, therefore a dog must be forbidden.
And there is the hadith that a dog pissed in the mosque and the prophet said it would be enough to just to pour water over it.
And a prostitute was forgiven her sins because she took pity on a stray dog and gave it water.
Looking at all this the other way around it seems that owning a dog was considered perfectely normal, that they roamed around freely, and that you even fed your dog from your own bowls or pans.
Again, I think this is also an area where culture may influence more than perhaps islam.
Great. More dogs to rescue. Don’t get me started on all of this. I am too much the dog lover. We fostered one white German Shepard for PAWS that was mistreated. Now there will just be more of them. This is NOT good news, here. But like anything, there will be growing pains. Although we do have someone that lives on the street we used to live on – he is Saudi – he has a couple of [mean and nasty!] Saluki’s [which I think is their nature - the dog breed, that is] – but he takes fabulous care of his two dogs! His two dogs just didn’t happen to like my two Kids – a Great Dane and a standard Poodle – nor did his two Saluki’s like me, much! But he is a fantastic example on how you can be Saudi/Muslim and have dogs as pets! They were well trained; he took them out in the morning to the jebels to run. The dogs would come to him as soon as they were called. Did he clean up the poop from his two dogs in the common areas? No. He didn’t. Did I complain to him? Yes. I did. Give it time. Baby steps. Baby steps.
BT, I think that is great to hear of a Saudi and his dogs. I love the Saluki’s and think they are an incredible breed and ideal for this climate.
Good luck with the relationship between you, him and the “kids.”
I really liked your article.
I’m new Muslim and I just felt compelled to leave a comment.
The reason I converted to Islam was simply that Allah came to get me one night (short version). I was in my apartment feeling so so so despondent about my life and life in general. This was after 4 yrs+ of emotional abuse from my ex and ex-in-laws. Allah came to help me and if wasn’t for that evening, I’m not sure I’d be Muslim today. When I converted, I knew the basics of Islam but not much more and was not aware that there was an issue with dogs. When God came for me, my beautiful dog was right by my side. And He’s been helping me ever since. I feel Him the most when I’m at my place, WITH MY DOG!!!
So, are dogs Makrooh? Sure, maybe. I’m still keeping him – he is one of Allah’s creatures, after all.
But, Haraam??? You’d think Allah would’ve mentioned it in Quran right?
Thanks for posting such a nice article.
Nancy
Nancy,
Welcome to my blog and thank you very much for your comments. Yes; you will find those who are adament dogs are haram and then you’ll have others who share opposite views.
I’m with you in that a dog is one of Allah’s creatures and they can indeed bring great pleasure and comfort to ones life.
Definitely one of the better posts that I have seen on this topic. If I wanted to know more, do you have any other resources that you would suggest?
@Dustin,
I can refer you to saudipets@yahoogroups.com where you can obtain a lot of information.
pllllll any body no any store for dog in saudi that sales a sheep dogs ana good like maltese or yorkshaireterrier allh y5leeh l2hlh elyy y79lly l2no marrah 6rory