As you are probably well aware,there is a bit of controversy in Islam when it comes to dogs. Some interpretations of Islamic laws views touching dogs, and particularly their saliva, as unclean and thus haram. While many Muslims believe that cleaning themselves after interacting with a dog is enough to make it permissible, others believe that it’s wrong for humans to care for dogs in general.
So when a woman in Lombok who wears a jilbab and takes care of dozens of stray dogs (and cats) started posting photos to Facebook, she faced a great deal of criticism and bullying from various groups who said that it was haram for a proper Muslim to take care of such unclean animals.
But Desy Marlina Amin, who says she has been feeding and taking care of stray animals since 1999, said that she doesn’t care what the haters say. She feels like she is doing God’s work.
“Actually, they are living creatures. They are creatures that were created by God. Nowadays people easily associate these things with religion in order to create arguments,” Desy told Detik on Sunday.
“My faith, my charity, my actions, only God understands. I believe when I adopt and take care of a dog or cat or any animal that is injured, they pray for me,” said Desy, who also noted that she ritually cleansed herself according to Islamic teaching after her interactions with dogs.
While many people have posted critical comments to Desy’s page, there are even more people leaving supportive messages and calling her an inspiration to animal lovers throughout Indonesia.
Desy says she has loved animals since she was a child and began buying food for stray animals as soon as she could afford to. She now takes care of about 26 stray dogs and 40 cats, some of which live by her house and some at a vacant lot a short distance away. She mostly pays for their food herself though she occasionally gets donations.
Not only is she helping to make the lives of many animals happier, Desy is also helping to change many people’s perceptions about Islam’s views on caring for animals. We wish her and her furry friends well.
For anybody interested in donating to Desy’s cause, the account information given on her Facebook page is BCA 2690281620 and the name on the account is B Desy Marlina.
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