The meaning of what has been narrated with regards to that the one who establishes an example or possesses a dog has, certainly, went out of Islam
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حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه - رحمه الله - عن عمه محمد بن أبي القاسم، عن أحمد بن أبي عبد الله، عن النهيكي بإسناده رفعه إلى أبي عبد الله عليه السلام أنه قال: من مثل مثالا أو اقتنى كلبا فقد خرج من الاسلام. فقيل له: هلك إذا كثير من الناس! فقال: ليس حيث ذهبتم، إنما عنيت بقولي: " من مثل مثالا " من نصب دينا غير دين الله ودعا الناس إليه، وبقولي: " من اقتنى كلبا " [عنيت] مبغضا لنا أهل البيت اقتناه فأطعمه وسقاه من فعل ذلك فقد خرج من الاسلام.
1. We were told by Muhammed bin Ali Majilawayh, may Allah grant him mercy, from his paternal uncle, Muhammed bin Abi’l-Qasem, from Ahmad bin Abi Abdillah, from Nuhayki, with his chain of narrators that he ascribed to Abu Abdillah, peace be upon him, that he said: The one who establishes an example or possesses a dog has, certainly, went out of Islam. Then it was said to him: It has perished, in that case, many from the people. So he said: It is not as you think. I only indicated with my saying «the one who establishes an example» the one who assigns a religion other than the Religion of Allah and calls the people to it, and with my saying «the one who possesses a dog» I indicated to a hater of us, the Household, which one embraces, feeds and supplies with water. The one who does that has, certainly, went out of Islam.