Dogs in the Ancient Arabic Stories

By Faisal Alajmi

For Arabs, the dog has a special status incomparable to any other animal. This is predictable as it is their companion in any place whether at home or on journeys. It is the guard of their homes and cattle. It protects not only their elderly but also the playgrounds of their children. It is described and well known as loyal. It is the perfect exemplar of loyalty.

 

Traditionally, at the golden ages, Arabs discussed everything including dogs. In fact, dogs had a significant share in the Arab cultural heritage.  Some wrote complete books on dogs, and some mentioned it in their books on animals. Dogs are always mentioned in stories and examples of loyalty. 

 

In this book, I have collected as many as possible stories on dogs in the ancient Arab cultural heritage. Unimaginable Stories of loyalty are collected here, and trusted scholars and writers told them all. 

 

In writing this book, I was also motivated by the stories on dogs' loyalty we often hear at present. For those two reasons, I embarked on this book.
I organized it into five chapters:

 

• The first chapter includes stories on dogs written by one of the greatest Arab writers, Al-Jahiz, (death date: 869 AD) in his famous Book on Animals.  
• The second chapter: tales, sayings, jokes, and poetry written by scholars and writers other than Al-Jahiz. 
• The third chapter: dogs in Arab proverbs as it were the center of many proverbs as it was famous for loyalty.
• The fourth chapter:  dogs superiority to many of those who wear clothes by Ibn Al-Marzban (Death date: 921 AD). 

To illustrate the age of writing the stories, I include the death date of the writers. when the death date is not stated, the source of the story will be our reference. I state the death date of all writers. Some stories were written during the life of the writer of this book, while others were written decades and centuries before the writer was born.

I hope this collection is useful and I hope it achieves its purpose, which is to highlight the greatness of the Arab cultural heritage especially in the golden ages that started about fourteen and a half-century ago. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: FaisalAlajmi
• Release date: Sep 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201018566

Book preview

Faisal Alajmi

Dogs in the Ancient Arabic Stories

Copyright © by Faisal Alajmi

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

Author’s contacts, Email: [e-mail]. Instagram: faisalalajmi1441

First edition

Translation by arapenz.com, translator: Jihad Elsaqa.

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Contents

Preface

1. Dogs in the Book of Animals by Al-Jahiz

2. News and sayings

3. Proverbs about dogs

4. Dogs are Preferred to Many of Those who wore Clothes

5. Dog Stories in the Arab Heritage

Conclusion

Resources and references

Preface

For Arabs, The dog has a special status incomparable to any other animal. This is predictable as it is their companion in any place whether at home or on journeys. It is the guard of their homes and cattle. It protects not only their elderly but also the playgrounds of their children. It is described and well known as loyal. It is the perfect exemplar of loyalty.

Traditionally, at the golden ages, Arabs discussed everything including dogs. In fact, dogs had a significant share in the Arab cultural heritage. Some wrote complete books on dogs and some mentioned it in their books on animals. Dogs are always mentioned in stories and examples of loyalty.

In this book, I have collected as much as possible of stories on dogs in the ancient Arab cultural heritage. Unimaginable Stories of loyalty are collected here, and trusted scholars and writers told them all.

In writing this book, I was also motivated by the stories on dogs’ loyalty we often here at present. For those two reasons, I embarked on this book.

I organized it into five chapters:

Chapter 1: includes stories on dogs written by one of the greatest Arab writers, Al-Jahiz, (death date: 869 AD) in his famous Book on Animals.

Chapter 2: tales, sayings, jokes, and poetry written by scholars and writers other than Al-Jahiz.

Chapter 3: dogs in Arab proverbs as it were the center of many proverbs as it was famous for loyalty.

Chapter 4: dogs superiority to many of those who wear clothes by Ibn Al-Marzban (Death date: 921 AD).

Chapter 5: Stories about dogs in the Arab heritage.

To illustrate the age of writing the stories, I include the death date of the writers. when the death date is not stated, the source of the story will be our reference. I state the death date of all writers. Some stories were written during the life of the writer of this book, while others were written decades and centuries before the writer was born.

I hope this collection is useful and I hope it achieves its purpose, which is to highlight the greatness of the Arab cultural heritage especially in the golden ages that started about fourteen and a half-century ago.

1

Dogs in the Book of Animals by Al-Jahiz

Al-Jahiz (died: 869 AD) is one of the greatest Arab writers in history. He has left humanity a great heritage. One of the most important Al- Jahiz’s books is the Book of Animals. We will mention some of his writings on the dog. This book is a reference for all authors.

A Brief of the author and his book:

He is Amr Ibn Bahr Abu Usman, a top figure in literature, and the head of the Jahziyyah division of the Mu’tazilites.

He was born in Basra, where he also died. He suffered from Hemiplegia at the end of his life and died while a book was on his chest. He died when large books fell on him.

He has many books, including Al-Bayan & Tabyeen, which is one of the four books considered the pillars of literature, as stated by the founder of sociology Ibn Khaldun (d. 1406 C.E). The remaining three books are the writer’s literature by Ibn Qutaiba (d. 889 AD), Al-Kamel by Al Mubarrad (d. 899 C.E), and the Book of Al-Nawader by Abu Ali al-Qali (d. 967 AD) Baghdadi. Books other than these four are just branches and sequels.

Al- Jahiz called his book The Animal because it is built, as he says, on tracing evidence in the life on Allah’s great wisdom and unique power.

This book is one of the greatest and biggest books. It is the first encyclopedia of its kind in the history of the Arabs, written by Al-Jahiz in old age and severe hemiplegia, after the killing of Mutawakkil in 861 C, E. He presented it to the Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Malik Zayat (d. 847 C.E), and included an extensive introduction about the art of writing and the secrets of authorship, including long chapters in defense of his books, including the book of animals. Therefore, in the art of writing and the history of the Arabic book, it is considered similar to the introduction of Ibn Khaldun in the science of history.

I have quoted what is written about dogs and ignored what does not benefit our subject. The book includes what was said about dogs from many different aspects and mentions the experience of his predecessors in the breeding of dogs and its pros and cons.

When I read about dogs, I found that a lot of writers quoted the words of Al-Jahiz. Therefore, I devoted to Al-Jahiz a special chapter, and another related chapter on the sayings of writers after him and what they added about dogs.

Here, we quote what was quoted about the dog, including an interesting dialogue about people who prefer the dog and those who prefer the cock. Al-Jahiz says: If I said: the dog and the cock have such a special status that two of the most prominent scholars, two elders from the top speakers, and prestigious thinkers, devoted time to mention their merits and equals and to compare between them.

An interesting talk, if I mentioned it incomplete, not a single book will be enough. I have mentioned a particular part of this interesting dialogue, and perhaps, if I will not get weakened, I will one day include this interesting dialogue in a separate book along with explanations and comments.

Al-Jahiz’s writing about dogs:

(A dialogue on a dog)

I said: If a dog had the qualities of a wild animal, it would not accompany humans and avoid lions. it would not hate woods and take urban places as homes. It would not be afraid of wildlands and stay away from uninhabited areas. It would not love people’s homes and places.

If a dog had the qualities of cattle, the attributes, shape, and food, it would not eat meat or attack people.

Yes, dogs jump at his owner and his family.

(A dialogue on the dog)

Abu Ishaq said: if a thief feeds it a piece of bread during the day, it will let him go and will turn around him at night.

In this aspect, it is a bribe and a corrupt; however, it has an ugly voice and its foolish attributes appear when it is awake or asleep. It sleeps all day on the same street, where people walk, in markets, at crossroads, and on the ways. It stays up late barking and making noise tiredly, furiously, and angrily. It runs around back and forth. It loves sleeping when needed. If another animal comes closer to it, it shows the worst panic and the most considerable