Fatwa ID: 03056

Answered by:  Maulana Belaal Ahmed​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

Is Halal a cruel way of slaughter compared to normal slaughter-houses around the world?

Answer:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

The Islamic way of slaughter in comparison to other slaughtering methods is not cruel at all, rather the Islamic way of slaughtering is a lot more humane and safe and least pain to animals. Islam has taught us certain regulations in regards to slaughtering where we see that the animal goes through very little pain and agony compared to other methods of slaughter for example stunning etc.

The following has been scientifically proven also for example research made by Leila Corcoran on 25 July 1997, see link below

https://hmacanada.org/cattle-stun-gun-may-heighten-madcow-risk/

This is just one of many researches.

Basic rights of the animal

Firstly we learn that one should not sharpen any objects in front of the animal nor make the sacrifice of an animal in front of another animal. (1)

Islamic method of slaughter

The object(knife) used to slaughter the animal should be sharp and used very briskly. The cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerves in the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain. The movements made after are due to the contraction of the muscles and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood. The cutting involves the cutting of 4 veins the windpipe and two jugular veins and the gullet. This results in blood gushing out of the body and draining of blood out of the body. Thereafter the blood is drained before removing the head. This procedure purifies the meat by removing most blood and helps the meat stay fresh for longer period of time compared to other methods of slaughtering. (2)

In conclusion, we find that the Islamic way of slaughter is a lot safer and better way of slaughtering  and should rather focus on  those who don’t use the Islamic method of slaughtering to be more inhumane

References

(1)Fatawa Alamgheeri pg 483 Darul-Ishat

(2)Fatawa Alamgheeri pg 483 Darul-Ishat

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Belaal Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham