I know the evils of keeping a dog in the house. What I would like to know is if my parents keep one against my will, power or authority, what should I do about this? I cannot live on my own as I'm still dependent on them.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is not permissible to keep a dog without a necessity. The Prophet said: "Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat (the size of a huge mountain) of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily unless the dog is used for guarding his farm or cattle or for hunting." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] By analogy, the scholars are of the view that it is permissible to keep a dog for guarding houses, hotels and the like, like a hunting dog and a sheep dog provided that one is in need for it. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 86844.

Therefore, if your family are in need of keeping this dog, like fearing thieves, or being broken into, then there is no harm, but the dog should be far from the house furniture as it is impure, and if it drinks in a container, it is an obligation to wash it seven times one of which with soil. Therefore, if your family are not in need for it because you are secure, or that the dog is very young and is of no benefit, then it is not permissible to keep it. We have already discussed the sin of keeping it, and in this case it is an evil which must be changed. You are obliged to change this evil according to your ability, as the Prophet said: "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he should change it with his hand (i.e. physically), if he is unable he should change it with his tongue (i.e. verbally) and if he is unable, he should change it with his heart (by detesting it in his heart) and that is the weakest level of faith." [Muslim] So you should advise your parents and explain to them with wisdom and good admonishing the sin of keeping a dog, then if they do not listen to you, you have at least done what is required of you and you are not sinful, but you should avoid being touched but its impurity.