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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Am new to this site. May Allah forgive if I say anything That will anger him. Mashallah to Burhan for his advice on having a fish as a pet. I do agree animal curlty is not allowed. However I know of people that keep dogs as guard dogs. My question if it is allowed to keep Guide dogs in the house or if the blind person owner of a guide dog wanted to pray in the mosque? am very interested on your views to my questions.

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Answer:

Dogs as pet for blind man

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4102   Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mughaffal

The Prophet (saws) said, " No family attaches itself to a dog without a qirat (measure) of their good deeds being deducted daily, except in the case of a hunting dog, a farm dog (for the protection of cultivated land), or a sheepdog (for the protection of herds)."

The scholars are of the opinion that there is no harm if one who is blind wishes to keep a guide dog.  If the blind person wishes to offer his prayers in the masjid and has no one to help him reach the masjid, there is absolutely no harm if the blind person takes the help of a guide dog to reach the masjid, leaves and ties the dog outside the precincts of the masjid, and makes himself available for prayer with the believers in the masjid.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

Members of Islamhelpline