Dogs in The Neighbourhood

Recently many talk about the event 'I want to touch a dog'. As someone that know not much it trigger me to read and learn more. Im not here to comment (because Im not confident/qualified) on the even instead just want to share my reading about dog in Islam. Mainly I want to share the story on how here dog is neded to help and assist us in our everyday life while in the same time we follow Islamic teaching. I am learning, so kindly do correct me if anything I write is wrong or leading to fitnah/confusion. I am here to seek for His blessing, learning, sharing and to give personal opinion for good purpose.

I am an animal lover, once in my childhood my ambition is to become a vet. However due to my disgust/fear to snake and I cannot imagine (faint-hearted) myself if I have to abuse animals for scientific purpose (even for good purpose) thus about vet is just an ambition. But gladly Im not a vet, because until now I still think the same, and Alhamdulillah I do love my biology course. =)

As an animal lover, we have an instinct to have extra sympathy, care and love to all animals. Sometimes we get emotional seeing animals being abused, we willing to spend extra money or time for them, just seeing them can make us happy and we appreciate them being created as they are. I am grateful for this special feeling because it is one thing that make me blissfully happy in my everyday life. Alhamdulillah =D

As an animals lover, dog is an animal that I admire. They are intelligent, loyal, protective, funny and loving. All stories around the world about dog die while saving their owner, a dog alarm save human from burning house, a dog prevent burglar, a dog loyally waiting for their owner or a dog mourn for the death of their owner etc etc. It really touch my heart. We know its real story not legend, because we can see most dog have instincts to be brave, loyal, intelligent and protective. Shouldn't human be grateful and amazed for the great creation that Allah create?

However before everything I love Allah and my religion more. We have rules and must follow Islamic law/teaching because we have faith and seek for His blessing. The recent event cause many to give opinion and views regarding dogs in Islam. So taking this opportunity we should learn and get clear about this issue. For me it is wise to learn, hear and analyse all the opinion and take the most trusted source with intention to seek for Allah blessing. For me the most trusted source is JAKIM which is an organisation approved and entrusted to uphold Islamic teaching in Malaysia. This is a summary of what I read/understand from an article about dog in Islam by Jakim. Wisely go to the website for further understanding and clarification. 

http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/sites/default/files/kedudukan_anjing_dan_hukum_berkaitannya.pdf

1. For Malaysia that following Syafie School, It is haram for a Muslim to touch dog without a strong reason (example to save or for hunting).
2. Dog is regarded as najis mughalazah (najis berat)
3. Haram for a muslim to keep dog solely for the purpose as pet (example: keeping cute, weak or small breed as companion is not allowed)
4. A muslim is allowed to to keep trained dog for good purpose such as guardian dog for house or farm.
5. A muslim can touch dog for strong purpose such as to save them, but later we must clean ourself by sertu.
6. Sertu is a process of cleaning and purifying najis mughallazah. The process of cleaning is by pouring one portion of mixed soil-water, then followed by 6 portion of water to the affected area. The cleaning must remove smell, colour or taste of the najis.

In my neighborhood (company's quarters), there are about 10 dogs that owned by my neighbor (non Muslim) to keep as pet as well as guardian dog. Because I must walk through their area to go to my house thus the dogs know me well. Early days when I just come to live in the area, I purposely trying to be friendly by giving them food and talk to them (Im not patting nor touching them). I said "Hi, Im living here, dont bark or bite me, keep watching our neighbourhood and my house too". To be honest it feel safer. They will bark to stranger that come at night, the two years Im here no intruder dare to come and no drug addicts in the bush area. Because I appreciate them, I do give them food especially the leftover. They are not choosy and sometimes I pity them for being hungry. Even I like them, Im not touching them for no purpose. Once I touch a puppy to save him from drain, and after that I clean myself by sertu.

Because of the special (loyal, brave, good sense of smell and intelligent) in dogs there are many use of dogs that we cannot depend on other animals. Some friends keep dog to take care of their goat farm, to guard their orchard form thief, to guard oil palm from being stolen, to accompany them when they go to large oil palm plantation (to protect them from wild animals and help human if needed) and to guard house. As the owner there must be attachment between them and their dog. They love their dogs and give them food and shelter. Yet they still follow Islamic regulation. They dont simply touch their dog, do sertu if accidentally touch dog and not allow the dog to enter their house. In my village, even if we are not the owner many purposely collect their leftover to give to the dogs. We feel blessed to be kind towards His other creature, and the dog repay us by being kind and watch after the area.

In my life, few times I met bad dog. Going to school being bark by many dogs. The worst is when I was 12 years old about 7 dogs chase after me (about 70m) and lastly I trapped with them surrounded me. I scream very laud (MUUUUUUUMYYYY) while all them also barking louder. Alhamdulillah they dismiss after few minutes, I am not injured and the dogs not even touch me. Thank you Allah for protecting my physical and instinct as animal lover (I am not me if I dont have it and I may not this blissfully happy in my everyday life). Even with that experience I dont hate nor afraid/ trauma to dog, but I really hope no more nightmare with dogs. hehehe.. I hate dog's owner that neglect their responsibility to give foods, shelter to their dogs, not control its population and the worst not control the dogs that behave dangerously to the public. This types of owner that make dogs become wild and may become threat to the public. 

Lastly I admire and appreciate dog but will follow the Islamic regulation about it. I feel blessed following the Islamic teaching and I dont see anything bad about it, we still can wisely take advantage to dog's specialty (loyal, brave, good sense of smell and intelligent) and never Islam teach us to hate or abuse dogs.

My humble sharing, do correct if necessary. May Allah bless. =)