She is blind and she has no one to protect her and help her. Can she keep a dog that is trained for that purpose?

Question

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.