Commentary on the Hadith Concerning Dogs Licking Vessels

Praise be to Allah,

 

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased him ): Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH ) said, “

 

If a dog drinks from the utensil of anyone of you, it is essential to wash it seven times.”[i]

In a version, in Saheeh Muslim, it says, “…the first time with mud.”[ii]

It was narrated that Ibn Al-Mughaffal said: The Messenger of Allaah (PBUH ) said, “…If a dog licks the vessel of one of you, let him wash it seven times and rub it with mud the eighth-time.”[iii]

 

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. The severity of the un-cleanliness of the dog, due to its filthiness.

 

2. The licking of a dog in a utensil – and likewise it’s eating from a utensil – makes

the utensil unclean, as well as its contents.

3. The obligation of washing, whatever the dog has licked in, 7 times.
4. The obligation of using turaab once and it is best that it be with the first washing, so that the water may follow.

5.Whatever is used in the place of turaab takes the same ruling as it since the intention is cleaning. This is the madhhab of Ahmad, and one of the sayings of ash-Shaafi’ee. But the more famous saying of ash-Shaafi’ee is that you must use turaab. Ibn Daqeeq al-Eid supported this position saying that it has been mentioned in the text of the hadeeth and that it is one of the two major sources of purification. Additionally, if an extracted meaning goes back to contradict the literal text [which it is derived from], then that extracted meaning is rejected.

 

Imam an-Nawawee said that soap or similar substances do not take the place of turaab according to the most correct opinion. I [the author] say: New scientific research has shown that the elimination of these impurities which is achieved through the use of turaab is not achieved by other substances.

 

6. The greatness of the Pure Sharee‟ ah, and that it surely is a revelation from the All-Wise All-Aware, and the one who delivered it (i.e. the Prophet) does not speak from his desires[iv]. Some scholars discussed the wisdom behind the severe stand [of the Sharee‟ ah Law] concerning this impurity, in consideration of the existence of other equally detestable substances, which do not require a similar effort of purification from them.

 

One group of scholars went so far as to say: “This manner of purification from the saliva of the dog is ta‟abbudi (a matter of pure worship) whose wisdom cannot be understood.” Then modern medicine came along with its scientific discoveries and microscopes confirming the existence of microbes and contagious diseases in the saliva of the dog, which cannot be eliminated by water alone. Highly exalted is Allaah, the all- Knowing all-Aware. Congratulations to those who have certainty [concerning Allaah’s Revelation], and woe to the deniers.

 

Al-Nawawi said:

It is mustahabb to use the soil in the first washing, and if that is not done then it is better to do it in any other time other than the seventh. But if it is done in the seventh it is permissible. It says in the reports in the Saheeh: “seven times” and “seven times, the first time with soil”; in one report it says “the last time” instead of “the first time.” In other reports it says, “seven times, the seventh with soil” and “seven times and the eighth time sprinkle it with soil.” Al-Bayhaqi and others narrated all these reports, which indicates that it is not essential that it be done the first time, rather that it be done one of those times[v]. End quote.

 

Shaykh Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him) further points,

 

7. Its najasaah is the grossest of the najasaat.

 

8. The hadeeth is an explicit text for the obligation of cleaning with the soil along with water, so it is not to be cleaned with other than except when that is not possible.

 

Allah Knows Best

 

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page 26

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 17

 

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 4, Hadeeth Number 172, p. 152; Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2,

Hadeeth Number 651, p. 402

[ii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 652, p. 402

[iii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 653, p. 401-402

[iv] Allaah, the Most High, says in the Qur’an, “Your companion (Muhammad ) has neither gone

astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.”

[Soorah An-Najm 53:2-4]

[v] al-Majmoo’ (2/598