Possessing a dog

A: It is authentically reported from Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) that he said: He who keeps a dog will lose out of his good deeds equal to one Qirat every day, except one who keeps it for guarding the fields or the herd. Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, and others. The Hadith indicates that keeping a dog is permissible for hunting, guarding a farm or the herd. Thus, keeping a dog for other than these three reasons decreases the person's reward by one Qirat every day. It is authentically reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) forbade (taking) the price of a dog, saying, "Its price is not lawful." (Part No. 22; Page No. 510) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.