Question (Q-80)
Is it permissible to sell dogs? I have read somewhere that it is not permissible to sell dogs. What is the opinion of the Hanafi Scholars in this regard?
Answer:
It is stated in Al Hidāyah;
ويجوز بيع الكلب والفهد والسباع المعلّم وغير المعلّم في سواء
“And it is permissible to sell dogs, cheetahs and predators. Trained animals and untrained animals are the same in this regard.”
Selling dogs is not permissible according to the Shāfi’ī Scholars. However, selling dogs is permissible according to the Hanafī Scholars. The reasons for this have been explained in Al Bināyah (Commentary upon Al Hidāyah);
أما الكلب المعلّم فلا شك في جواز بيعه لأنه آلة الحراسة والاصطياد… وأما غير المعلّم فلأنه يمكن أن ينتفع به بغير الاصطياد فإنّ كل كلب يحفظ بيت صاحبه ويمنع الأجانب عن الدخول فيه
“As for a trained dog, there is no doubt in the permissibility of selling it because it is a tool for guarding and hunting… As for an untrained dog, selling it is permissible because it is possible to obtain benefit from it without hunting as every dog protects the house of its owner and prevents strangers from entering into it.”
It is narrated in Al Bukhārī and Muslim;
أن رسول الله نهى عن ثمن الكلب
“That the Messenger of Allah prohibited the price of dogs.”
It is stated in Fath ul Qadīr (commentary upon Al Hidāyah) in relation to the above Hadīth of of Al Bukhārī and Muslim that the ruling of this Hadīth is general and the sale of such dogs which provide benefit is an exception to this general rule. This is regardless of whether that benefit obtained from the dogs is for the purpose of hunting or for capturing and protection etc. It is furthermore stated in Fath ul Qadīr;
لكن روى أبو حنيفة فى سنده عن الهيثم عن عكرمة عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال أرخص رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى كلب الصيد وهذا سند جيد
“However it is narrated from Abū Hanīfah in his chain from Al Haytham who narrated from ‘Ikrimah who narrated from Ibn ‘Abbās (Allah be pleased with him and his father) who stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave permission in relation to the (sale of) hunting dog.”
فهذا الحديث على رأيهم يصلح مخصصا والمخصص بيان للمراد بالعام فيجوز
“So this Hadīth is capable of providing a specific exception in the view of the Hanafī Jurists. And the specific exceptions clarify where the general rule applies. Therefore sale of dogs is permissible (when there is benefit derived from the dogs).”
فصار الكلب المنتفع به خارجا سواء انتفع به فى صيد أو حراسة
“Therefore the dog from which benefit is taken is not included within the prohibition regardless of whether that benefit pertains to hunting or guarding.”
Based upon the above reasonings and where there is such benefit as mentioned, the Hanafī Jurists permit the sale of dogs.
And Allah knows best.
Written by: Shaykh Omar Khan (Allah preserve him)
Verified by: Mufti Shamsulhuda Khan Misbahi (May Allah preserve him)
