Faithful readers will know that I am not fond of dogs – not fond of them at all. Therefore, it is with considerable relief that I report that I have not seen one solitary dog, (or groups of dogs) in twenty days. There are no dogs in public places in either Dubai, or Abu Dhabi. Now I am sure that there is a dog or two somewhere but, trust me, I did not go and seek them out. I do know that there are greyhounds for racing and dogs for guarding but they are not kept in the house and they are obviously forbidden in hotels and public places. So dog lovers, the Middle Ease is not the place for you. I do not think that there is any reference to dogs in the Qur’an but I shall check it out.
It is done! “Traditionally, dogs are considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam as they are thought of as dirty. But while conservatives advocate complete avoidance, moderates simply say Muslims should not touch the animal’s mucous membranes — such as the nose or mouth — which are considered especially impure.” There is more on the subject.
It is NOT haraam to own a dog, though it is not hygienic to keep a dog in the house.
- . It is incumbent upon all Muslims who own animals, whether for farming or work purposes or as pets, to provide adequate shelter, food, water, and, when needed, veterinary care for their animals. Arrangements must be made, if one is going to be away from home, to have one’s animals taken care of as well.
- It is haraam to keep a dog or any other animal on a short lead for long periods without food, water, and shelter. Dogs need exercise and are social creatures who form organized “family” structures in nature. Dog owners therefore need to spend time daily with their dogs.
The article ends in this manner. There are many Muslims who care well for their animals, and this article is aimed at those who are misinformed. The appeal goes out to those Muslims: Please do not abuse or neglect any animal. This gives a distorted picture to others who are not Muslim.
This seems ultimately fair and just. I have seen in this apartment complex that dogs are treated like Gods almost – extreme efforts made to care for them – even to the neglect of spouses and children, Oh well, I shall be free of such concerns soon. No more dogs with no leashes in violation of the lease and of Marin County ordinances, I shall leave in peace in Any Dhabi.
The article found through the web was written by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, professor of Islamic Law at UCLA. It concludes with this, which is bound to make some dog owners happy. “There is, however, quite a different unknown strand of thinking about dogs in Islam, a long history of positive interactions between Muslims and dogs that goes back to the religion’s very beginnings. According to several authoritative accounts of his life and teachings, the Prophet Muhammad himself prayed in the presence of dogs. Many of his cousins and companions, the world’s first Muslims, raised young puppies. In the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, the second holiest site in the world for Muslims after the Kaaba, dogs were regularly seen frolicking about during the Prophet’s life and for centuries after as well.” That is all I have to say about dogs.
I discovered an interesting photograph this morning while sorting through the recent ones taken during my Dubai/Abu Dhabi sojourn. It is a photograph of Grandson (aka MAD) at the Happiness Derk at the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. As you can see he does ‘cut a fine figure’ – his anonymity is preserved as it was taken from the back To look attractive and well-dressed. Cuts a fine figure is a phrase is often used to describe men. It was my last day in Dubai – upon seeing him said:
Me: You look most handsome today.
He: Thank you.
Me: You are welcome.
He always dresses well – shirts, ties, jackets, all that sort of thing but done well, almost informally/ But that day it was more formal, most correct, most impeccable. I contrast him to my ‘real’ grandson – who is about twenty-five now. To folks who are thinking that I must be very talented (in a strange way) – let me explain. Third husband had three daughters all had children during the marriage which made him the Grandfather and me the Granny. I loved being a Granny and I was good at it (probably too good as folks were jealous of my Pied Piper of Hamlin appeal on the children. They disappeared from my life – not upon the divorce but when I ‘deserted’ them all for London, for a life of my own. It was painful, is painful but grandchildren cannot be forced to choose between their parents and their Granny. Anyway, the eldest was a son and we had a special relationship. He was a techie, totally computer driven and obsessed (and was allowed to be by his parents). He dressed like techies dress, preferring shorts even in the winter months, not caring what covered his body. That is a genre, a category, a class, a group, a classification, categorization, a group, that exists and may be seen at the JW Marriot in Dubai. They are informally and rather slovenly dressed, one wonders what they do for a living, how can they afford this hotel dressed like that? It suddenly occurred, they are techie and Dubai is the land of techies. I prefer the way current Grandson dresses, and behaves and treats me. People are rather astounded when I call him Grandson.
They: Is he your grandson? He does not look anything like you.
Me: Well, he looks like his grandfather’s side of the family – I guess. I do not remember who the father was.
They: You must be joking.
Me: I am!
Grandson just smiles and shakes his head. At times our conversations are not refined. It was when he does imitations of me, using the same language and hand gestures.
Me: Shut up! I am laughing so hard, I cannot even breathe I do not look and act that way, do I?
He: Yes you do!
Me: Oh NO.
I have examined the curse of jet lag and come up with the following empirical evidence. I am still on Dubai time – now this is troublesome because there is eleven hours difference in time zones. Day is turned into night and night becomes day. I did very well, I thought, yesterday. Had to have my blood taken as I am having a complete physical before leaving the country. I had a great time with all of the people and made the day of my ‘vampire” – the guy that took my blood.
He: This has been such a hard day because we have so many people waiting. You are so cheerful and funny. You made me day!
Me: Thanks! I love doing that. One stellar day I made the day of nine people. Today you are my first.
Then there was a tragedy. I am unable to urinate on command and was not able to come up with a suitable sample. So I have to go back and collect a bottle and do it all again. I ALWAYS have that problem
Then to Holly to have a mani and pedi. We laughed the whole time and secretly made fun of others in the nail salon that were so Marin – self absorbed and self important. I have silver nails and toes and a follow up appointment for nails before I leave. I made her day too (and mine, just being with her),
She: When will I see you again, after you leave the country.
Me: I do not know, maybe never. You have to come to Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
I am working on it. There is a nail and hair salon in the JW Marriott, I found out how she could apply. What heaven – to surround myself with people I love in my new home.
The photo is Grandson at the Friendship Desk of the Grand Mosque. The other a photo taken from the plane of the third finger of my left hand. I sent it to a man with the following caption.
Me: Photo of my fake ring. How amusing Diamond Guy. DAG is your nickname. Diamond Amusing Guy. Like it?
He Dag. OK. (Laughing emoji)
It is funny because he ‘does’ diamonds and gold for a living. Do not understand it all, but he seems to do well.
