Separating personal, cultural preferences

Observer

29-03-2025

Differences in personal tastes and cultural practices are natural and make life interesting.
Whether in food, clothing, or opinions, variation allows for diversity in thought and experience. However, it becomes problematic when individuals impose their personal or cultural preferences as religious mandates, particularly when those views lack evidence from the Quran or authentic Islamic teachings.
One example of this confusion is the attitude towards dogs in some Muslim communities. While some scholars discourage keeping dogs as pets, the Quran does not prohibit it.
The Quran acknowledges dogs positively, recognising their usefulness for hunting, guarding, and even companionship. Surah Al M'idah (5:4) explicitly permits the use of trained hunting dogs: 'They ask you, (O Muhammad), what has been made lawful for them.
Say, 'Lawful for you are (all) good foods and (game caught by) what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is swift in account.' This verse confirms that dogs can be trained for beneficial purposes, and their role in assisting humans is acknowledged by Islamic teachings.
Additionally, Surah Al Kahf (18:18, 18:22) tells the story of the People of the Cave, a group of righteous believers who had a dog as their companion. The dog is mentioned multiple times, positioned honourably at the entrance of their cave.
If dogs were impure or forbidden, they would not have been included in such a positive Quranic narrative. Despite this, some Muslims hold onto cultural biases against dogs, often citing certain Hadiths that suggest restrictions on keeping them.
Some Hadiths mention that angels do not enter homes with dogs or that keeping a dog without necessity reduces a person's rewards. However, these interpretations must be viewed in light of the Quran, which remains the primary source of guidance in Islam.
Hadith literature is valuable but must not contradict the clear principles of the Quran. Even if some Hadiths discourage unnecessary dog ownership, they do not override the Quran's acknowledgement of their permissibility.
I often reflect on how Muslims deny themselves the advantages of using dogs not just as guard dogs but as animals that can give comfort and relief to people with mental health issues. They also stop elderly people without family and friends from feeling lonely, blind people whose guide dogs are trained to keep them safe when crossing roads, for deaf people whose specially trained dogs will warn them if there is a fire or if a family member has arrived to visit.
Some dogs are trained to recognise the smell of drugs effectively stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs which can destroy societies. Specialist dogs are now even being used by physicians to detect early-stage cancer owing to their ability to detect this terrible disease by recognising its scent. Beyond the discussion of dogs, other misconceptions persist in some Muslim communities, including claims that one must not clean their teeth while fasting, wear perfume during Ramadhan, or listen to music during Ramadhan.
These restrictions are not found in the Quran, yet they continue to be presented as religious obligations. Maintaining oral hygiene is encouraged in Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used a miswak (tooth-stick) while fasting and nowhere is it stated that toothpaste is forbidden. Similarly, wearing perfume is permissible unless it is excessively strong and distracting.
As for music, the Quran does not prohibit it, although its permissibility is occasionally subject to interpretation.
This confusion between culture and religion can have serious consequences, leading to unnecessary restrictions and misunderstandings about Islam. True faith is rooted in knowledge, wisdom, and sincerity, not in inherited customs or personal biases.
The Quran and authentic teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) provide clear guidance, and Muslims should strive to distinguish between religious obligations and cultural practices.
Seeking knowledge from credible sources and remaining open to learning is essential in ensuring that Islam is practised in its purest and most just form.