Angels do not accompany a group of travelers who have a dog or a bell with them

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that angels do not accompany a group of people on a journey if they have with them a dog or a bell hung on animals and makes a sound when moving.

Lessons from the hadith

• It is prohibited to keep or accompany a dog except a dog kept for hunting or guarding.
• Angels who refrain from such a company are the angels of mercy, however, the protecting angels never leave the slaves in residence or travel.
• The bell is prohibited because it is one of the devil's musical instruments and it resembles the Christians' bell.
• A Muslim must be keen on avoiding whatever keeps the angels far away from him.