CHAPTER ON CONTRACTS · 65 – FORBIDDING THE TAKING OF MONEY FOR DOGS
Abū Mas’ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade from the price of a dog, the fee that a wanton woman receives for fornication, and what the diviner takes for his predictions.
[Explanation]
Initially, dogs were ordered to be killed. Consequently, their sale was prohibited. Then, the killing of dogs was forbidden, but since the prohibition of selling dogs remained as it was during the first order, many scholars permitted the sale of dogs. This is the view held by Imām al-A’zam, Imām Muhammad, and Abū Yūsuf. According to Imām al-A’zam, only the sale of a rabid dog is forbidden. (Bezlūl-Mechūd, vol. 15, p. 159)
Imām Mālik holds the view that the price of a dog is impermissible. However, some among the Malikīs have said that it is permissible to sell a dog from which one benefits.
*Baġy*: This means fornication.
*Mehr*: This is the money spoken of to a woman as payment in return for marriage. It is not used here in its original meaning, but rather refers to the money received for fornication. The money that a wanton woman receives for fornication is impermissible and forbidden.
*Kāhin*: This refers to someone who claims to know what will happen in the future. The money taken by fortune-tellers who predict events such as "this will happen" or "this will befall you" is also forbidden.
According to a narration from Abdullah bin Abbas:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Trade in dogs is prohibited.”
If the one who sold it comes and asks for the price of the dog, fill his hand with dust.
**Note:** The explanatory text clarifies that filling the seller’s hand with dust signifies refusing to pay him anything.
Awn ibn Abi Juhayfa, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings upon him, forbade taking compensation for a dog.
Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The payment for a dog is not permissible, nor is the payment given to a diviner or fortune-teller, nor is the money obtained from illicit sexual relations.”