Can I Pray in Clothes that Were Licked by a Dog?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: I frequently visit a friend’s home and he has a dog. Obviously, the dog climbs on me and licks my hand/face etc. I was wondering if it is permissible to pray with the same clothes afterwards. From what I know, wudhu would purify my skin, but what about the clothes? Is it okay to wet my hands and wipe my clothes down?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

In the Hanafi school, the saliva of a dog is considered filthy. As such, if saliva effects one’s clothing, it requires washing to purify it. [Fatawa Hindiyya]

However, the Maliki school does not deem the saliva of dogs, or any other living animal for that matter, as being filthy. This is a followable position in cases of need, such as when one visits family who have dogs as pets or works in a profession where coming in contact with dogs is unavoidable (such as a veterinarian).

Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani and Rami Nsour

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