How A Muslim Should Slaughter an Animal
A Muslim should take every care to slaughter an animal without subjecting it to
unnecessary pain and torture. The following instructions are deduced from the
teachings of the Noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Was Sallam)
1. The knife to be used for slaughter, should be very well sharpened so that it
cuts the throat immediately, without causing much pain to the animal.;
2. The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animals;
3. The animal to be slaughtered is to be given food and water; it should not be
slaughtered when it is hungry and thirsty;
4. It should not be brutally dragged along to the place of slaughter;
5. The animal should be slaughtered at an isolated place so that other animals
may not see this sight;
6. It should be laid on the ground with ease, as it is abominable to use undue
force;
7. Only three of its legs should be tied together;
8. As soon as the animal has been placed on the ground, one should hurry to
slaughter it. Undue delay must be avoided;
9. The animal should not be slaughtered with such a force that its head is
severed, or the knife reaches the spinal cord;
10. It is incorrect to slaughter the animal above the neck because it causes
the animal too much pain and agony;
11. The animal should be left in a way as to freely toss its body in the
process of bleeding;
12. After slaughtering, the head should not be cut off nor should the animal be
skinned until the body is totally cold;
13. While slaughtering, a Muslim should say : 'Bismillaahi Allaho Akbar' (In
the name of Allah, Who is the possessor of all greatness)
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Islamic slaughter
(scientific results)
Al Shaddad Bin Aous has quoted this tradition of the Holy Prophet: "God calls
for mercy in everything,so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter,
sharpen your blade to relieve its pain".
Many allegations have been made that Islamic slaughter is not humane to
animals. However, Professor Schultz and his colleague Dr. Hazim of the Hanover
University, Germany, proved through an experiment, using an Electro
encephalograph (EEG) and Electro Cardiogram (ECG) that *Islamic slaughter is
THE humane method of slaughter* and captive bolt stunning, practiced by the
Western method, causes severe pain to the animal. The results surprised many.
Experimental Details:
1. Several electrodes were surgically implanted at various points of the
skull of all animals, touching the surface of the brain. 2. The animals were
allowed to recover for several weeks. 3. Some animals were slaughtered by
making a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck cutting the
jugular Veins and carotid Arteries of both sides; as also the trachea and
esophagus-Halal Method.4. Some animals were stunned using a captive bolt pistol
- humane slaughter by the western method.5. During the experiment, EEG and ECG
were recorded on all animals to record the condition of the brain and heart
during the course of slaughter and stunning Results and Discussion:
A. Halal Method
1. The first three seconds from the time of Islamic slaughter as recorded on
the EEG did not show any change from the graph before slaughter, thus
indicating that the animal did not feel any pain during or immediately after
the incision.
2. For the following 3 seconds, the EEG recorded a condition of deep sleep -
unconsciousness. This is due to a large quantity of blood gushing out from the
body.
3. After the above mentioned 6 seconds, the EEG recorded zero level, showing
no feeling of pain at all.
4. As the brain message ( EEG ) dropped to zero level, the heart was still
pounding and the body convulsing vigorously (a reflex action of the spinal
cord) driving maximum blood from the body: resulting in hygienic meat for the
consumer.
B. Western method by C.B.P. Stunning
1. The animals were apparently unconscious soon after stunning.
2. EEG showed severe pain immediately after stunning.
3. The hearts of the animal stunned by C.B.P. stopped beating earlier as
compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the Halal method
resulting in the retention of more blood in the meat. This in turn is
unhygienic for the consumer.
Ashraf Dabayeh Dept. of Civil Eng. (Ext. 3844) University of Waterloo
"And among His (God's) Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
the difference of your languages and colors. Surely, in that are signs for
people of sound knowledge."
{The Qur'an 30:22}
