Foundations · Purity Basics

Dog Licking and Purity Practices

Learn how to handle impurities from dog licking according to Islamic guidelines.

6 questions · Easy · about 4 minutes

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6 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. What is the basic rule about purity?

  • Things and creatures are pure unless evidence shows they are impure. (correct answer)
  • All animals are impure unless proven otherwise.
  • Only animals mentioned by name are pure.
  • Impurity is assumed whenever there is doubt.

Why

The basic rule is purity. Something should not be judged impure unless there is evidence showing that it is impure.

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2. How many times must ordinary impurity be washed?

  • Until the impurity disappears, even if that happens with one wash. (correct answer)
  • Exactly three times in every case.
  • Exactly seven times in every case.
  • Until the item dries naturally.

Why

For impurities other than dog impurity, no specific number of washes is required. What matters is that the impure substance disappears.

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3. How should a vessel be purified if a dog licks it?

  • Wash it seven times, with one wash using soil. (correct answer)
  • Wash it once with water only.
  • Leave it until it dries.
  • Throw it away because it can never be purified.

Why

A vessel licked by a dog must be washed seven times, and one of those washes should involve soil. Both the seven washes and the use of soil are required.

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4. Why are vessels licked by a dog washed?

  • Because the dog’s saliva is impure. (correct answer)
  • Because every animal’s saliva is impure.
  • Because the vessel becomes permanently unusable.
  • Because washing is only recommended, not required.

Why

The reason given for washing vessels licked by a dog is that the dog’s saliva is impure. A Muslim obeys the command even if they do not know every wisdom behind it.

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5. How should dog saliva be removed from a carpet that cannot be wrung out?

  • Wash it seven times with water, using soap or another cleaning agent in one wash. (correct answer)
  • Leave it to dry without washing.
  • Cover the spot with another rug.
  • Wash it once only because carpets are different.

Why

Dog impurity on a carpet must be washed seven times. If dust or soil would damage the carpet, soap or another cleaning agent may be used instead.

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6. What should someone do if water licked by a dog certainly gets on their clothes or body?

  • Wash the affected place seven times, using soil or a suitable cleanser in one wash. (correct answer)
  • Do nothing because water is always pure.
  • Wash it once only.
  • Throw away the clothes.

Why

If dog-licked water certainly or most likely reaches the body or clothes, the affected place must be washed seven times. Soil may be replaced by a suitable cleansing substance if soil would be harmful.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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