| Page 3 | ||
| Hamad explained
that it is thought that the name Saluki is derived from the ancient
city of Saluk in Iraq southeast of Baghdad. The breed, however, is
known as a number of names throughout the Gulf - e.g., Tazi in Persia
Sloughi in North Africa (Morocco), Azawakh in Mali and other parts
of Africa, Salaq in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen,
and in Armenia to the west of the Caspian Sea.. His extensive research on Salukis has led Hamad to refer intensely into religious books, translating and quoting references to Salukis. There is a saying that many Bedouins will not touch a dog, but they will touch a Saluki, as some Arabs say that they are a ‘gift from God’. Hamad tells that special dispensation was given to the Saluki breed of dogs, permitting them to live in the homes of a true believer. ‘Muslims pray five times a day, and people praying must have a clean body, wear clean clothes and pray in a clean place, according to the Noble Quran’ Hamad explained. ‘Because of the oppressive smell of the dog in a confined space, and with the scarce availability of water in the hot climate of the desert, it was considered unclean to keep a dog as a pet. However, a devout Muslim could keep a dog as long as it was used for hunting and guarding’ Hamad added. Hamad quotes from the Noble Quran and from the Hadith :- It is made clear in the Noble Quran that hounds are permitted for use in hunting · ( Surah Al-maidah 5. Part 6 Aayah 4 ) :- “They ask you (O Mohammed) what is lawful for them (as food ).Say:. lawful unto you are At-Tayyibat {all kinds of halal (lawful-good) foods which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals ,milk products ,fats, vegetables and fruits ) }. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allah; so eat of what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is swift in reckoning’’. “Such references suggest that while hunting hounds were obviously in use and that they were by their description salukis, it appears they were not generally known as hounds of salukiyyah at that time” Hamad explained. · [Hadith Agreed Upon ] :- “Narrated abu Huraira Allah’s Messenger said ‘If anyone gets a dog except a sheepdog or a hunting dog or a farm dog a qirat of his reward will be deducted daily from his good deeds . Whoever keeps a(pet) dog neither for hunting, nor for guarding livestock . Hunting for the purpose of earning, profitability or eating is allowed. But the same is undesirable if done merely as a recreation or pastime . it is permissible to use either a dog or other animals of prey in hunting However , there are two conditions governing it First of all the dog must be unleashed by reciting Bismillah and secondly the dog thus released should be a trained one for a purpose of hunting , if the dog eats off the hunted animal it turns unlawful for human consumption otherwise the same is lawful . . Hamad said “The earliest written reference to the Saluki is found in the verses composed by Abu Nawas, a ninth century Arab poet, and Al Jahiz who wrote Animals Book. In one of Nawas’s poems, written in praise of the Saluki, he enumerates the following qualities:” Hamad added. ‘I will sing the praise of my Saluki whose owner’s good fortune is assured by his tremendous effort. All the good things they have come from him… My Saluki’s excellent conformation is pleasing to the eye, also the receding corners of his mouth and his long muzzle, Deers are in trouble when he is hunting … What a fine Saluki you are, without equal!’ (Translation by Hamad)
|
| Home | Profile | Gallery | News & Media | Links | Library | Guestbook | Contact Us |