04Slaughter
Its conditions
1 The slaughterer is Muslim, or of the People of the Book.
2 The name of Allah is pronounced over it.
3 A sharp blade, drawn swiftly — never a tooth or a nail.
4 The throat, the gullet and the two vessels of the neck are severed.
5 The animal is alive at the moment of the cut.
Q 6:121; Muslim · ṣaḥīḥ — “Allah has prescribed excellence in all things; when you slaughter, slaughter well.”
Contested in practice
Stunning — permitted by many councils where it is reversible and the animal would live; rejected where it kills before the cut. Ask which is used.
Mechanical blades — the name must be said over each animal, or by one operator with continuous intent. A recording does not suffice.
Omitting the name deliberately — the meat is unlawful per Ḥ, M and Ḥb; S holds it lawful if forgotten or omitted.
Sharpen the blade, spare the animal sight of it, do not slaughter one before another, and give it water beforehand.