Ex-Perlis mufti: Shallow thinking that touching dogs is forbidden

PETALING JAYA: Keeping dogs as pets in the house is discouraged in Islam but keeping them for hunting or protection is permissable, said former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

“There are those who say it is haram (disallowed) to touch dogs because they are najis (unclean).

"However, if it is is haram to touch najis, then it is haram as well for a person to touch their own najis or that of their children or those under their care when in the process of washing/cleaning their bodies,” Mohd Asri said on his Facebook page DrMAZA.

“Then it would also be haram for those whose work involve elements of najis such as cleaning toilets or blood or (bodily) pus. The same goes for veterinarians. The conclusion derived is a shallow one. Therefore, it is not haram to touch a dog,” he added.

Mohd Asri explained that "it is necessary to undergo the proper purification process before partaking in acts of worship or dealing with people," after touching najis.

The cleansing process, called ‘sertu’ or ‘samak,’ involves washing the affected area six times with clean water and once with earth.

“Scholars agree that touching a dry dog is not najis. There are differing views among scholars when it comes to touching wet dogs. The Syafie school of thought is quite strict in this.

"However, the views in other Islamic schools of thought are wider and easier. The Maliki school of thought is the most flexible and wide when it comes to dogs,” Mohd Asri said.

There are four schools of thoughts within Sunni Islam. Malaysia follows the strict Syafie school. The others are the Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi schools, named after the most prolific Islamic scholars throughout history.

The Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia (Jakim) said it would be conducting an investigation into an event "I want to touch a dog" held at One Utama on Sunday which was attended by Muslims.

Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said the event should not have taken place and Jakim regretted the irresponsible attitude of the organisers who were not concerned with the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.

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