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Fatwa CenterWhat did the exegetes (interpreters of Qur'an) say about the dog mentioned in the chapter of Al-Kahf?
Question
Assalamualikum Alikum Warehmatullahi Wabarakatahu,Kindly let me know had any Muffaser of Quran mentioned that it was Lion (not dog) that was present with Ashaab i Kahf in Surah Kahf of Al-Quran.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu`alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The most authentic opinion held by the majority of the exegetes (interpreters of Qur'an) is that it was an actual dog as stated by Allah, the Exalted. However, some exegetes are of the opinion that it was a lion – an opinion attributed to Ibn Jurayj, yet the first opinion is the most authentic. In his Tafseer, Al-Baghawi said, “As for the Saying of Allah, the Almighty, {… while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance} [Quran, 18:18], the majority of exegetes believe that it was an actual dog belonging to the family of dogs. However, Ibn Jurayj is of the opinion that it was a lion, taking into account that the lion is named after a dog. This is evidenced by the supplication made by the Prophet 
against ʿUtbah ibn Abi Lahab, 'O Allah! Send one of Your dogs against him,' and he was attacked by a lion that killed him. However, the first is the most authentic.”
Allah knows best.
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