Someone asked this question: “As-salamu `alaykum. I have come across a Hadith that says that we are only allowed to have dogs for hunting and to guard our property. My question is can we have them for profit if they are not living under our roof?“
Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has prohibited the price paid for buying a dog.
In his commentary on Imam Muslim’s narration, Imam An-Nawawi stated that the prohibition mentioned in the hadith is meant for selling dogs in which there is no benefit. Selling and buying such dogs are prohibited according to the above hadith.
However, some jurists, such as Imam Abu Hanifah, stated that there is nothing wrong with buying and selling dogs where there is benefit that can be gained from that, such as the case when a dog is kept for the purpose of hunting or guarding. Ibn Al-Mundhir, Atta and An-Nakhi state that it is permissible to sell hunting dogs.
On the other hand, Imam Ash-Shafi`i states that trading in dogs is totally prohibited. However, Imam Malik states that trading in dogs is permissible irrespective of whether the dog is for guarding, hunting or any other purpose.
Imam Abu Hanifah states that the permissibility in dog’s trade is restricted to hunting, guarding dogs and to dogs that are kept for an acceptable reason in which there is no harm inflicted upon the buyer (such as buying a dog to guide a blind man).
Allah Almighty knows best.
