Aslam

Praise be to Allah.We ask

Allaah to make our sister steadfast in Islam, and to heal her and decree

reward for her for her patience.

Keeping dogs

is basically haraam – as is well known – but the Prophet (peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) granted a concession with regard to keeping

dogs if it is for guarding the fields, herding livestock or hunting.

It was

narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The

Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever keeps a dog, a qiraat will be deducted from his reward every day,

except a dog for guarding the fields or herding livestock.” Narrated by

al-Bukhaari (2197) and Muslim (1575).

It was also

narrated from him (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps a dog,

except a dog for herding livestock, hunting or guarding the fields, a qiraat

will be deducted from his reward every day.” Narrated by Muslim (1575).

Is it

permissible to keep a dog for purposes other than those mentioned above?

The answer

is: yes.

Imam

al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

There was a

difference of opinion with regard to whether it is permissible to keep dogs

for purposes other than these three, such as guarding houses and roads. The

most correct view is that it is permissible, by analogy with these three,

based on the reason that is to be understood from the hadeeth, which is

necessity. End quote.

Sharh

Muslim (10/236)

Ibn ‘Abd

al-Barr (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

In my view,

the meaning of this hadeeth also includes keeping dogs if there is a purpose

in doing so and for warding off harm, if a person needs that. End quote.

Al-Tamheed

(14/219)

For this

woman to keep a trained dog – when there is no one who can help her, take

care of her and protect her – is more essential than guarding fields and

livestock.

Shaykh

Yoosuf ibn ‘Abd al-Haadi said, quoting from one of the scholars:

There is no

doubt that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave

permission for keeping hunting dogs, according to numerous ahaadeeth, and he

said that the reward of the one who keeps a dog for hunting is not reduced.

In other ahaadeeth he gave permission for keeping dogs for herding

livestock, dogs for herding sheep and dogs for guarding the fields. Thus it

is known that the reason for allowing this is people’s interests, and the

ruling is based on the reasons for and against. If there is an interest to

be served, then it is permissible (to keep a dog). Some interests may be

more important and greater than that of farming, and some interests may be

equal to those mentioned by the Lawgiver. There is no doubt that fruits are

equivalent to crops in the fields, and cattle are equivalent to sheep, and

chickens and geese – (as a dog is needed) in order to keep the fox away from

them – are equivalent to sheep too. Undoubtedly the fear of thieves

attacking a person, and keeping a dog to warn against them and wake one up

is even more important than that. Islam seeks to protect interests and ward

off harm. End quote.

Al-Ighraab fi Ahkaam al-Kilaab (p. 106, 107).

Based on

this, there is nothing wrong with this woman keeping this trained dog until

Allaah provides her with a way out, such as her living with a Muslim family

who can take care of her for the sake of Allaah, or her marrying a Muslim

man who may seek reward with Allaah for looking after her.

And Allaah knows

best.