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Some lovers of the West in Muslim countries claim to be full of love and compassion for all living creatures
and they wonder why Islâm warns against this “best friend” of man. For their benefit, we quote here a
lengthy excerpt from an article by the German scientist, Dr. Gerard Finstimer, (Translated from the German
magazine Kosinos.) in which the author sheds light on the dangers to human health resulting from keeping
dogs or coming in contact with them. He says:
The increasing interest shown by many people in recent times in keeping dogs as pets has compelled us to
draw public attention to the dangers which result from this, especially because pet dogs are hugged and
kissed and permitted to lick the hands of the young and the old, and what is worse, to lick the plates and
utensils which are used by human beings for eating and drinking.
Besides being unhygienic and uncouth, this practice is bad manners and abhorrent to good taste. However,
we are not concerned with such matters, leaving them to be addressed by teachers of etiquette and good
taste. Rather this article is intended to present some scientific observations.
From the medical point of view, which is our main concern here, the hazards to human health and life from
keeping and playing with dogs are not to be ignored. Many people have paid a high price for their ignorance,
as the tapeworm carried by dogs is a cause of chronic disease, sometimes resulting in death.
This worm is found in man, in cattle, and in pigs, but it is found in fully-developed form only in dogs, wolves
and rarely in cats. These worms differ from others in that they are minute and invisible, consequently, they
were not discovered until very recently.
He continues,
Biologically the developmental process of this worm has some unique characteristics. In the lesions caused
by them, one worm gives rise to many heads which spread and form other and varied kinds of lesions and
abscesses. These heads develop into full-grown worms only in dogs‘ tonsils. In humans and in other
animals they appear as lesions and abscesses completely different from the tapeworm itself In animals the
size of an abscess may reach that of an apple, while the liver of the infected animal may grow from five to
ten times its normal size. In human beings the size of the abscess may reach that of a clenched fist or even
the head of an infant; it is filled with yellow fluid weighing from ten to twenty pounds. In the infected human it
may cause diverse kinds of inflammations in the lungs, muscles, spleen, kidneys, and brain, and appears in
such different forms that specialists, until very recently, had difficulty in recognizing it.
In any case, wherever this inflammation is found, it poses great danger to the health and life of the patient.
What is worse is that, in spite of our knowledge of its life history, origin, and development, we have not been
able to devise a cure for it, except that in some instances these parasites die out, possibly because of
antibodies produced in the human body. Unfortunately, cases in which such parasites die without causing
damage are rare indeed. Moreover, chemotherapy has failed to produce any benefit, and the usual
treatment is surgical removal of the abscessed parts of the body. For all these reasons we should use all
possible resources to fight against this dreadful disease and save man from its dangers.
Professor Noeller, through post-mortem dissection of human bodies in Germany, found that the incidence of
infection with dogs’ worms is at least one percent. In some places such as Dalmatia, Iceland, southeastern
Australia, and Holland, where dogs are used for pulling sleds, the incidence rate of tapeworm among dogs is
12 percent. In Iceland the number of people who suffer from the inflammation caused by this worm has
reached the rate of 43 percent. If we add to this the human suffering, the loss of meat because of infection of
cattle, and the permanent danger to human health because of the presence of tapeworms, we cannot be
very complacent toward this problem.
Perhaps the best way to combat the problem is to limit the worms to dogs and not let them spread, since in
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actuality we need to keep some dogs. We should not neglect to treat dogs when necessary by getting rid of
the tapeworms in their tonsils and perhaps repeating this process periodically on shepherd dogs and
watchdogs.
Man can protect his life and health by keeping a safe distance from dogs. He should not hug them, play with
them, or let them come close to children. Children should be taught not to play with dogs or to fondle them.
Dogs should not be permitted to lick children’s hands or come to places where they play. Unfortunately,
dogs are allowed to roam about everywhere, especially in places where children play, and their bowls are
scattered throughout the house. Dogs must have their own separate bowls, and they must not be allowed to
lick bowls and plates used by humans. They should not be allowed inside grocery stores, restaurants, or
marketplaces. In general, great care must be taken that they do not come in contact with anything which is
used by people for eating and drinking.
We already know that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) forbade mixing with dogs, and that he warned against their
licking plates and against keeping them without necessity. How is it possible that the teachings of an
unlettered Arab, Muhammad, should agree with the latest findings of scientific research? Truly, we cannot
say anything except to repeat the words of the Qur‘ân: Nor does he speak from (his own) desire. It is nothing
other than a revelation sent down. (53:3-4)
Work and Earning Livelihood
It is He Who has made the earth submissive to you; so traverse its paths and eat of what He provides you....
(67:15)
The fundamental attitude of Islâm toward man’s position in the world is that Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala has
made the earth for the benefit of man, to whom He has given control over it. It is the duty of man to profit
from this favor and to exert himself to seek Allâh’s bounties throughout the earth.
The Obligation to Work If One Is Able
It is not permitted to the Muslim to avoid working for a living on the pretext of devoting his life to worship or
trust in Allâh, as gold and silver certainly do not fall from the sky. It is also not permissible for him to depend
on charity while he is able to earn what is sufficient for his own and his family’s needs through his own
efforts. In this regard, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said, “Charity is halal neither for the rich nor for the able
bodied.” (‘Reported by al-Tirmidhî )
The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) made it haram for the Muslim to beg from others without dire necessity thus losing his
honor and his dignity. He said, “He who begs without need is like a person holding a burning coal in his
hand.’‘ (Reported by al-Bayhaqi and by Ibn Khazimah in his Sahih.) He also said, Anyone who begs from
people in order to increase his wealth will have his face scratched on the Day of Resurrection, and will eat
burning stones from hell; so let him reduce it (his punishment) or let him increase it as he pleases. (Reported
by al-Tirmidhî. (The meaning here is that it is up to him to decrease his punishment by not begging, and
vice-versa. Trans.)) Again, he said, “A person keeps on begging until he meets Allâh (on the Day of
Resurrection) with no flesh on his face.” (Compiled by al-Bukhâri and Muslim.) By such strong admonitions,
the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) intended to train the Muslim to safeguard his dignity, to develop self-reliance, and to
be far-removed from dependence on others.
When Begging is Allowable
The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was, however, aware of situations of necessity. If, under the pressure of need, one is
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