Diffusing A Dog Video Controversy

Well there is another 'religious controversy' being cooked up about some Malay girl who has made a Facebook posting with her dogs. Before another religious volcano erupts out of a molehill please watch the following video. 

The video here shows Arab Muslims rearing dogs, caring for dogs, praying with their dog sitting beside them (do watch the video), there is also an azan somewhere in this video and in the earliest part - one Arab Sheikh even kisses his dog. 

The dog is the Arabian Saluki breed - a beautiful desert hunting dog that is native to parts of the Arabian deserts. 

Finally here is a verse from the Quran about dogs:

Surah 5:4 "They consult you concerning what is HALAL for them; say, "Halal for you are all good things, including what trained dogs (mukallibeena) and falcons catch for you." You train them according to Allah's teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention Allah's name thereupon. You shall observe Allah. Allah is most efficient in reckoning."

Mukallibeen is plural form of 'kalb' which means dog. Latter day translators (possibly with a prejudice against dogs) translate mukallibeen as 'hunting animals' including falcons, cheetahs and dogs.  

But the root word 'kalb' means dog. The same word 'kalb' is mentioned again in the Quran in the story of some believers and their dog who slept in a cave.  Here it is :

Surah 18:13 We narrate to you their history, truthfully. They were youths who believed in their Lord, and we increased their guidance.

This is a story of some youths who were believers in Allah. They were persecuted by people so they took refuge inside a cave. In the cave they had a dog with them. Later disputes came up about the true numbers of these believing youths and their dog in the cave. The Quran cites the differences:

Surah 18:22 Some would say, "They were three; their dog (kalb) being the fourth," while others would say, "Five; the sixth being their dog (kalb)," as they guessed. Others said, "Seven," and the eighth was their dog (kalb). Say, "My Lord is the best knower of their number." Only a few knew the correct number. Therefore, do not argue with them; just go along with them. You need not consult anyone about this.

The word for dog here is again 'kalb'.  

Dogs are really man's best friend ok. And the Quran does not say anything bad about dogs. 

The Quran says that food which dogs catch for us to eat is HALAL - Surah 5:4. And this is also proven in the video above about Arabs hunting with dogs.

The Quran also repeats the history about some good Muslims who kept dogs and even slept with their dog in a cave - Surah 18:22 above.

So lets ease up on the dogs ok. Unless you dont like the Quran, and dogs.