Miscellaneous

Keeping dogs as pets

Q: I wanted to know more about keeping dogs as pets in regards to Islam. Some scholars say that it's okay to keep dogs in the house, while others think of it as impure and haraam. I wanted to know if it is permissible to keep dogs in the house as long as they are only allowed in certain rooms. For example, if a room is reserved for prayer and the dog is prevented from going in it, does it still mean that keeping the dog in the house is not allowed? I want to emphasise that this question is about having a pet rather than a hunting dog or a guard dog.

Cosmetic surgery

Q: I wanted to ask if in Islam its permissible for me to have a nose job. My nose has a large point bump at the top and is also bent to the left. I have always been teased when growing up to the point thath I now suffer from anxiety and I am seeing a psychologist. I am also scared as I am showing signs of mild depression. My nose does not look 'normal' as people have asked 'how I have broken it'. I saw a surgeon who said that 'my nose is not normal looking and needs to be brought back to normal and doesn't look feminine, he thought that the operation isn't necessary but I will benefit from it'. I only wanted surgery to remove this defect and have a normal nose. Not one that is stared at or the centre of attention when I speak to someone. It has come to a point where I have been out of education for 2-3 years due to my nose and how it looks. I feel people will contnue to make jokes and it causes me stress and sadness. My life has been paused for 2-3 years and I am only 22. I dont like going out as much and have almost lost my social life. Based on these circumstances what is the Islamic advice on a nose job? 

Signing on behalf of someone

Q: Is it permissible to sign something in someone else's name if they give you permission?

For example, my younger sister needs my parents to sign something for school and my parents are not in the city. If my mother gives me the permission to sign the paper in her name because she is unable to, is this permissible?