To ask any Muslim mumsnetters

[DollyBarton]

Whether you are ok with dogs in the house? I'm not sure if it's one of the more normal or extreme beliefs for Muslim people but I read it is a problem and had arranged for my dog to be away when our Muslim friends stay this weekend. It's my DH's friend and girlfriend we've never met so I can't guess how many of the rules particularly she observes. My DH told me not to be so ridiculous and kept the dog here. I just think that because he thinks he knows his friend from college and observed him being fairly relaxed in those days he could be mistaken about how he and his girlfriend are about their beliefs now. They have said they are happy to share a room, I know they don't drink but DH has been in a pub with the friend in the past. DH was surprised they only eat halal....I just feel we should make our home as Muslim friendly as possible, they are our guests and it's not hard to remove the dog, put away all alcohol, remove all pork from the fridge and maybe be a bit careful about welcome hugs and kisses. Is the dog an issue in general or is it something many Muslim people don't observe? I am nervous they will feel deeply uncomfortable but too polite to say.

Clearly not observant as he's coming with a girlfriend lol so don't worry about it. Even if it's a problem Islam has a great deal in it on how to be perfect guests/hosts so probably they'll never tell you. Job done lol.

My Muslim friend loves dogs!I think it totally depends on the person. And she is religious, I think she's just decided that for that part, she's decided not for her, and that's fine (which is good really as we're very close friends and I have two dogs) :)

I hope people take away from this thread the fact that Muslims are just people who need or want no special treatment when guests in your home, whatever the intention behind the thread may have been

If they are happy to share a room when they are not married then there's no flipping way I'd be removing my dog for fear of offending any Muslim sensibilities.

I have Muslim friends who are not massively observant, they have a dog and love it and it lives in the house with them.

I also know another Muslim couple who live very near to me who don't look particularly religiously observant (woman doesn't cover for example, both where normal 'western' clothes) and I know for a fact that they have a dog who is NEVER allowed inside the house and in bad weather is either left outside or chained up in the garage. They have been approached about this and their response was they can't have it in the house because it's un-Islamic. I really don't understand why you would even bother having a dog if you felt that way about them and I am currently working to have the dog removed from them because it's being neglected.

It's dog saliva that's considered unclean.

But if a dog licks you, you wash and can pray (in an area without dog saliva on it).

Mil has a very excitable Collie, who shakes in mad delight when we visit and spends his time paws in my lap staring soulfully into my eye (breathing awful stinky breath on my face), love him to bits. He stays downstairs so I'm free to pray upstairs and he doesn't slobber or try to lick anyone.

Fil has a massive chowchow with a penchant for having is bum scratched, I spend ages scratching his bum whilst he leans on me and makes weird happy noises. Again fil has a dog free space for where I can pray and the chowchow is not a lucky slobbery dog.

Culturally we grew up in a household with no pets, so some people who are Muslim are frightened/uncomfortable around pets. But I think so are a lot of non-Muslim people.

Just go about your day normally with all family members present including dog, & make sure if they're not comfortable about dog they have a dog free space i.e. Their bedroom.

No need to get terribly upset about it when they come in ask about the dog.

I've met ham eating alcohol drinking Muslims too. So I'd ask them that too.

My inlaws asked me about my dietary requirements. I love them to bits and would not dream of them or anyone emptying their house of food, drink and family pets. That's ridiculous.

Non-observant Muslims here but we love dogs - we prefer to know if they are coming to ours so we can move DH's family's posh rugs but they are welcome!

And in response to the pig/pug PP I am actually thinking of getting a pig to keep our woodland garden tidy!

Why don't you get your DH to ask? It really depends on how observant they are. I have Muslim friends and some will not have dogs at all, while some keep them as outdoor dogs.

I didn't realise that Muslims consider dog saliva 'dirty'. It makes sense to me now as I could not understand why so many Muslims are scared of dogs when I'm out walking mine. There is so many that I have come across that that seem scared to death when I walk past with my little dog,they either zigzag to avoid us or let out a little scream.

Would you extend the same courtesies to Christians, Buddhists and Jews?

See I think this is crazy. Next of intentions but crazy.

It's your home and that and your life style show cases you. Everyone is different and every lifestyle/religion/ culture is fine as long as it doesn't involve hurting another person or animal. I think halal killing is cruel so wouldn't eat it serve halal meat.

If I had Muslim friends or friends of any religion I wouldn't be pussyfooting round them just be honest, open and respectful while keeping your own views and beliefs intact.

You Are trying so hard you might make them uncomfortable. Just be yourself and i bet you will have a lovely time.

Our dog is a family member so no way would she be shut away. She's well behaved and ultra friendly though.

Fuzzy the dogs sound gorgeous.

I'm not Muslim, but live in a country 99% Muslim with vast spectrum of adherence to "the rules".

I'd simply suggest no pork (almost every Muslim I know avoids, however relaxed they are about other rules) and dogs out of the kitchen.

Also, if first time meeting, I might have a quiet word saying its important to me that they feel relaxed and at home during their stay, so if they are bothered by the dog or food preferences please can they let me know. And yes, I'd ask that question of any guest.

What's the hugs and kisses thing please? I hugged someone in work this week who is Muslim and now I'm worried I might have offended her! She did look quite surprised and awkward, but I wasn't aware it was a religious thing.

Your home your rules. The dog saliva thing- crazy!

Once you start worrying that anything you naturally do would offend someone else you need to get a grip.

Everyone is different. Dds boyfriend has a life threatening nut allergy that needs to be taken extremely seriously but any other dietary requirements are choice so you check with dinner guests if they don't like certain foods that's good manners.

Anything else well it's your house so they like it or lump it.

Most fog baskets are in the kitchen though as it's generally uncarpeted. Unless your dog is on the work surface what's the issue?

Removing alcohol and pork! Really, really unnecessary and a bit odd imo.

OP : I think your considerations are really heart warming and shows you're a good host. I'm Muslim and would appreciate your way of thinking

And to The other posters thinking that this was offensive .... have you seen the other threads of MN recently about Muslim women being submissive and we are child abusers because we circumcise ? where were you all then ?

Hope your visit goes well

Still wondering what a bottom dweller is

Well if anyone circumcises their child for non medical reasons outside of s hospital that is abuse in my view. It's mutilating another humans body and anyone practising this for cultural or religious reasons on a boy or girl should, in my view be prosecuted.

I imagine there are some submissive Muslim women as there are submissive women of any and no religion ditto men.

Not sure anyone has called the op offensive? She sounds lovely.

Personally I wouldn't be hiding my dog or alcohol for any guest as then that would be silly. This is who we are as a family.

If I was cooking for anyone of any and no religion I would check if there were dislikes or allergies but that's good manners.

The rest of it just relax and be yourself.

Realhousewives, they really are, I'd love a dog too, but our house is not big enough and we are out all day and I know that would be cruel, have to say I am what would be considered religious I pray five times a day etc, it's easy enough to keep ritually clean to pray with a dog in the house.

I hate dogs and am as atheist as they come......

However it is not wrong to raise the Muslims and dogs point as there is a lot of theological debate about it and certainly there are hadiths about dog spit etc.

Like many people I believe Jews and Muslims are morally wrong to circumcise boys and that breaches the child's rights. Let boys decide at 13 instead. That is a different topic but certainly I hope the law moves to prohibit it unless a doctor requires it.

Jesus, people here are assholes.

(Not all, and thanks for the reasonable responses).

I guess the hugging and kissing is cross sex as that wouldn't be usual in Muslim cultures but Muslim women will hug and kiss each other, and in some Muslim societies the men hold hands and kiss on the cheek too. Just not men and women.