Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Many Hadiths that seem harsh at first glance actually reveal Islam’s deep commitment to mercy when understood in their proper context. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently balanced justice with compassion—whether dealing with enemies, animals, or social order. By studying these narrations alongside Quranic principles, we see that Islam’s core message is mercy to all creation, not severity or cruelty.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
The Prophet’s Merciful Example with Abdullah Ibn `Ubayy ibn Salul
It is wrong to say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered the killing of the hypocrites. Instead, he forbade killing them, inspiring their collaboration with the enemies within and outside Madinah.
The most glaring example of this is his treatment of Abdullah Ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the chief of the hypocrites in Madinah. He was known for his hatred towards the Prophet (peace be upon him), spoke ill of him, and stirred up people against him.
His aggressive behavior toward the Prophet even turned his son against him, so he asked the Prophet’s permission to kill him. The Prophet, however, stopped him and told him that we would treat him honorably instead. When he died, his son came to the Prophet, conveying him the news. He gave him his shirt to shroud him, perchance Allah may ease his punishment; he also went out of his way to stand on his grave to plead for Allah’s mercy for him. Allah stopped the Prophet from praying for the hypocrites through the revelation of the following verse:
{Never pray for any of them who dies, nor shall you stand at his graveside. They denied God and His Messenger, and they died while they were rebellious.} (At-Tawbah 9: 84)
Contextual Understanding: The Case of Dogs in Hadith
Now, regarding dogs, one should study the issue in context while considering the fundamental principles of the Quran.
Let us state upfront the Quranic teaching of treating God’s creation:
{There is no creature that crawls upon the earth, nor a bird that flies upon its wings, but that they are communities like yourselves—We have neglected nothing in the Book—and they shall be gathered unto their Lord in the end.} (Al-An`am 6:38)
The Prophet (peace be upon him), therefore, said, “If dogs were not part of communities (like humans), I would have ordered killing them.”
However, one may find certain traditions where the Prophet ordered the killing of dogs. In contrast, other traditions teach us the importance of treating every creature with mercy, including dogs. He told us the story of a prostitute who was forgiven because of her act of compassion towards a dog that was on the verge of death because of extreme thirst. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Reconciling Apparently Contradictory Traditions
So, how do we reconcile the two types of traditions? The only explanation is that he did order the killing of stray dogs that posed a threat to the safety of the people at one time.
So, it is understandable that this order was directed at dogs with rabies or deemed dangerous that pose a danger to humans or animals. That is the only rational way of reconciling the Prophetic teachings on such issues. Therefore, it is wrong to generalize this rule.
Ibn `Umar reports that dogs used to frequent the Prophet’s mosque through one door and exit through another, yet the Prophet did nothing to stop them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent as a mercy to the entire creation. He said, “Show mercy to those on earth so you can expect the mercy of the One in heaven.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi and others)
“Whoever does not show mercy to the creation will not receive the mercy of Allah.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
In conclusion, we are not allowed to kill dogs or any other creature unless they cannot be restrained and they pose a threat to the lives of humans or other animals.
👉 Explore more here:
- Prophet Muhammad’s Kindness to Animals
- How Did the Prophet Treat His Enemies?
- Is the Killing of Predatory Dogs Allowed?
- Can Muslims Keep Dogs at Home?
Almighty Allah knows best.