Assalaam alaikum I am desiring to embrace Islam, however I have a slight concern. I am legally blind and use a guide dog for mobility purposes. I have been informed that I have no problems being a Muslim and having a guide dog due to my disability. However, I am concerned at the reaction that I get from other Muslims when I approach an Islamic Center. I do not want to offend but without the assistance of the guide dog I am unable to travel to a Masjid or Islamic center alone. With who should I discuss this situation i.e., an Imam? I sometimes feel I am at a "stalemate" . Thank you for your help.
Praise be to Allah.Al-hamdu lillaah. (All praise be to God Almighty, Allaah.)
To the dear noble inquirer:
You have reached the doorstep of entering into Islam and are hesitant due to concern
over what you may face vis-à-vis the response of fellow Muslims regarding the dog you
use to guide you to the masjid or Islamic center. Let me assure you that the matter is
simple and much easier to deal with than you may think.
You are a man for whom Allaah has ordained blindness as a trial, and there is little or
no practical recourse for your daily movement, coming and going, other than a trained
guide dog. Whereas keeping a dog without due need is censured and objectionable
according to Islamic shari’ah (due to its filth and uncleanness), in your case keeping a
dog is clearly for an urgent need and not out of custom, tradition, or love for owning
the dog itself. So perhaps you have a valid excuse regarding this issue, Allaah willing.
I can’t imagine that you would require to enter the mosque or Islamic center with the
dog; rather, you most likely would leave him outside and enter for worship, attending a
religious gathering, or to learn and ask about matters concerning your religion. As long
as the case is as such, the issue is solved and the matter is settled. If you leave the dog at
a distance from the entrance to the mosque, then whoever among the Muslim does not
welcome you warmly would clearly be committing a mistake. You could also contact
the director of the Islamic center or whoever fills such a position, in order to explain to
him your situation. I would expect him to assume the responsibility for informing those
who administer as well as attend the mosque. If you like, feel free to take this response
as a letter to him and ask him to peruse it, and I am confident you will find only
goodwill and cordiality, Allaah willing.
In closing I would like to welcome you to the religion of Islam and send you a warm
salutation and an extraordinary congratulations on your desire to accept the religion. I
urge you to hasten in taking the greatest step of your life since your mother gave birth to
you, and would like to leave you with glad tidings regarding the disability with which
you are afflicted. In fact, you will receive a great reward for your blindness if you
accept Islam, as per the saying of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
[translation of the meaning]:
"Verily Allaah has said, ‘If I afflict one of My worshippers with a trial regarding his
two dearest ones (i.e., his eyes) and he is patient and perseveres, I will compensate him
for them Heaven.’ " (Hadeeth al-Bukhari, Fath ul-Baari #5653)
We ask Allaah to open your heart to the truth and to assist you in holding fast to it, and
Allaah is the One Who Guides to the true path of righteousness.