Islam and Dogs

I've long considered the abhorrence of dogs to be a great weakness of Islam.  Dogs were fundamental to human development. Divorcing ourselves from them is a betrayal to them--who adapted to life with humans and a betrayal of our human heritage.

Here is ChatGPT's summary of dog's significance:

1. Co-Evolution and Domestication

• Dogs are likely the first domesticated animal, with genetic evidence pointing to domestication as early as 15,000 to 30,000 years ago.

• Humans and dogs underwent coevolution: both species adapted to each other, with dogs evolving to better interpret human communication (e.g., pointing, facial expressions) — a trait not shared by even chimpanzees to the same degree.

• Some anthropologists argue dogs helped shape human societies, particularly in early foraging and migratory cultures.

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🏹 2. Hunting and Survival

• Dogs improved the efficiency of hunting, especially in Ice Age and early agrarian societies.

• This partnership may have increased caloric intake, which had downstream effects on survival, population growth, and expansion into harsher climates.

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🛡️ 3. Protection and Early Settlement

• Dogs acted as sentinels, warning of predators or intruders, which may have enabled more stable sleeping and gathering arrangements.

• This protective role may have supported early sedentism, allowing humans to settle more safely in one place.

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🧠 4. Social and Emotional Impact

• Dogs likely played a role in social cohesion and emotional bonding, similar to how they do today.

• The oxytocin feedback loop (the hormone tied to bonding and love) between dogs and humans mimics parent-infant relationships, suggesting that dogs tapped into human neurobiology in a unique way.

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🏛️ 5. Cultural and Religious Significance

• Dogs appear in ancient mythology, art, and burial practices, from Egyptian Anubis to Neolithic burial sites where dogs and humans are interred together.

• This indicates they weren’t just tools or animals, but were emotionally and spiritually integrated into human life.

My investigations into the Islamic case against dogs, comes out modestly less critical of Islam than earlier:

Summary:

• The Qur’an does not forbid dogs — and in some places, implies they are noble and useful.

• Negative attitudes come from Hadith, not scripture, and interpretations vary.

• In many Islamic cultures, dogs are respected for working roles (herding, guarding, therapy).

• Keeping dogs as pets remains a culturally sensitive but not universally condemned practice in Islam.