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Fatwa CenterUsing electric shock and rotating blade in slaughtering
Question
Is the method of slaughtering chicken in Western countries Halal considering that slaughter is done (in some cases) by a rotating blade and birds get stunned by passing their heads in water which has a certain voltage running through it?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Slaughtering animals by electric shock consists of many faults that are not accepted in Islamic Shariah: 1) This method of slaughtering is contrary to the way that was practised by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and the good ancestors. 2) This method causes severe pain to the animals, which is contrary to the order of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) who said: Verily Allah has prescribed al-Ihsan (i.e. performing an action in a perfect manner) towards everything. Thus, if you kill (anyone for some genuine reason), kill (him-her) humanely; when you slaughter (an animal), slaughter (it) well. And everyone of you should sharpen his blade to give rest to the animal he slaughters. [Reported by Imam Muslim ] 3) Electric shock often kills the animal and slaughtering thereafter does not have any meaning. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Forbidden to you (your food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine,… }[5:3]. However, slaughtering an animal after a light shock is permissible if it is still alive. You can find out about the life of the animal by the motion of its hand, leg, etc. Imam al-Buhooti said: It is better not to eat such an animal until we observe its noticeable movement. Cutting heads, i.e. separating them from body during the process of slaughtering does not harm and the meat of such animal is lawful. However, some scholars disliked separating the heads from the body when slaughtering intentionally. Allah knows best.
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