Dogs are our Teachers

While Muslims usually consider dogs to be 'impure' -
though the only creatures that can possibly be impure and soulless are humans -

the 15^th century Moroccan Sufi saint Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli

(probably Berber) saw them as having many virtues well worth emulating. 

Here are his Ten Splendid Attributes of the Dog:

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1. He sleeps only a little at night; a sign of the lovers of God (muhibbin). 

2. He never complains of heat or cold; a sign of the patient (sabirin). 

3. When he dies, he leaves nothing  which can be inherited from him; a sign of his simplicity (zahidin). 4. He is neither angry nor hateful; a sign of the faithful (mu’minin). 

5. He does not  mourn  the loss of a close relative, nor does he accept assistance; a sign of the secure (muqinin). 

6. He is happy with whatever is given to him; a sign of the contented (qani’in). 

7. He has no place to live; this is a sign of the wanderers (sa’ihin). 

8. He sleeps  anywhere; this is a sign of the easily satisfied (radiyin). 

9. Once he knows his master, he never despises him, 

even if he beats or starves him; a sign of the true knowers (’arifin). 

10. He is always hungry; a sign of the virtuous (salihin).  

 












adapted from a blog by Shravasti Dhammika 
 with thanks to WS.