The rulings of slaughtering (zabḥ)
What makes a slaughter valid, who may perform it, the sunnah method, and what makes the meat unlawful.
To eat meat, an animal has to be made halal in a special way. Cutting its throat the right way, saying Allah's name, is called zabḥ. This page tells you what makes it done properly.
How an animal is made halal
- The person doing it must be a sane, awake Muslim (or a Jew or a Christian).
- Give the animal water first, and lay it down gently.
- Say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ (in the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) and no other name.
- Cut through the windpipe, the food-pipe, and the two big blood vessels in the neck, with a very sharp knife, quickly.
- The animal must be alive, showing some sign of life, like blood flowing or movement, at the moment it is cut.
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ
Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
Zabḥ is cutting an animal's throat in the prescribed manner so its meat becomes halal to eat.
For zabḥ to be valid, four vessels must be cut: the trachea (nahrakha), through which air passes; the esophagus (mari), through which food and drink pass; and both jugular veins, the blood vessels on either side of the trachea and esophagus.
1The slaughterer must be a Muslim, or a Jew or Christian (from the People of the Book).
1The slaughterer must be sane, and conscious, not overcome by intoxication or asleep.
Allah's name must be said at the time of slaughter, Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar, and no name other than Allah's may be mentioned.
12The animal must show some sign of life when it is slaughtered.
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ
Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
How to slaughter
- Give the animal water beforehand and lay it gently on its left side, its head to the south and its face towards the qiblah.
- Take a sharp knife in the right hand.
- Say Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar, then cut the throat with strength and speed, severing all four vessels without separating the head from the body.
- Once the vessels are cut, release the animal and let it be.
Fingernails and teeth may not be used to slaughter.
1Sharpening the knife in front of the animal as it lies down, or using a blunt knife that takes a lot of effort, is disliked.
1Slaughtering from the back of the neck, cutting so far that the head comes off, or cutting into the spinal cord, is disliked.
Skinning the animal or removing its head before it has fully cooled, and dragging it to the place of slaughter by its legs, is disliked.
Slaughtering one animal within sight of another, slaughtering at night, and slaughtering an animal that is close to giving birth, is disliked. Departing from the correct method of slaughtering in any other respect is likewise disliked.
When slaughtering more than one animal, the same tasmiyah cannot be used for all of them; each animal needs its own Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar. An exception is made when several birds, or two goats tied together, are slaughtered at the same moment: one tasmiyah then covers all of them.
A second person may help hold the knife or make the cut, but that person must also meet the conditions of a valid slaughterer: being a sane, conscious Muslim who says the tasmiyah. If they do not, the slaughter is not halal.
If a cow, goat, or other animal is slaughtered and a live baby animal comes out of its stomach, the baby must also be slaughtered; the mother's slaughter does not cover it. If the baby is already dead, or not fully formed, it cannot be eaten.
Using a knife that was previously used with the tasmiyah does not excuse saying it again: if the tasmiyah is not said while slaughtering, the slaughter is not halal and the animal counts as carrion (maytah), even if the same knife once said it.
It is strictly forbidden to slaughter an animal in front of, or near, a place of magic rituals, a new house, a well, a pond, a bridge pillar, or a flag of a temple or idols, or during ceremonies such as Dussehra.
When hunting an animal with a sharp weapon or a trained animal, no separate slaughtering is needed, but the weapon or the trained animal must be sent off with the tasmiyah. If the tasmiyah is forgotten, or the trained animal is used incorrectly, the game is not halal.
12It is sunnah to slaughter a camel by first performing the naḥr, cutting at the base of the neck near the chest, and then slaughtering it. It may be slaughtered without the naḥr, but that is disliked.
The blood that flows out of a slaughtered animal is unlawful to eat.
The liver and other glands, and the private parts of the male and female, are disliked to eat.
Zabḥ is the cutting of an animal's throat in the manner prescribed by law, by which its meat becomes ḥalāl. Absent a valid zabḥ, an animal that dies, whatever the cause, is maytah, carrion, and unlawful to eat.
Zabḥ requires the severing of four vessels: the nahrakha (trachea), the passage of breath; the marīʾ (esophagus), the passage of food and drink; and the two jugular veins flanking them.
1The dhābiḥ (slaughterer) must be a Muslim, or a Jew or Christian of the People of the Book; a slaughterer outside these categories cannot render the animal ḥalāl regardless of method.
1The dhābiḥ must possess ʿaql (sound reason) and be conscious, not overtaken by intoxication or sleep, at the moment of cutting.
The tasmiyah, Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar, must be pronounced at the instant of cutting, and no name besides Allah's may be invoked over the animal.
12The animal must exhibit a sign of life (ḥayāt) at the moment the cut is made.
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ
Bismillāhi wa'llāhu akbar
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
The method
- Give the animal water beforehand and lay it on its left side, head to the south, face towards the qiblah.
- Take a sharp knife in the right hand.
- Pronounce the tasmiyah, then sever the throat with force and speed, cutting all four vessels without detaching the head from the body.
- On completion of the cut, release the animal.
Fingernail and tooth are excluded as instruments of zabḥ, whatever their sharpness.
1Sharpening the knife in the animal's presence as it lies restrained, and using a blunt knife requiring undue exertion, are each makrūh.
1Cutting from the nape rather than the throat, severing so far as to detach the head, and cutting into the spinal marrow, are each makrūh.
Skinning the carcass or removing the head before it has fully cooled, and dragging the animal to the place of slaughter by its legs, are each makrūh.
Slaughtering one animal within another's sight, slaughtering by night, and slaughtering an animal near to parturition, are each makrūh; any other departure from the received method of zabḥ falls under the same ruling.
One tasmiyah cannot serve for successive animals slaughtered one after another; each requires its own. Where several birds, or two goats bound together, are slaughtered simultaneously, a single tasmiyah covering that single act suffices for all of them.
A person assisting in the cut, whether by steadying the knife or sharing in the cutting, must independently satisfy the conditions of a valid dhābiḥ; failing this, the zabḥ is invalidated regardless of the principal slaughterer's compliance.
A fetus found alive within a slaughtered dam requires its own zabḥ; the dam's slaughter does not extend to it. A fetus already dead, or insufficiently formed, is not fit for consumption in either case.
A knife's prior association with a pronounced tasmiyah does not stand in for pronouncing it at the present cutting; omitting the tasmiyah on a given occasion invalidates that zabḥ and renders the animal maytah, irrespective of the instrument's history.
Slaughter is strictly forbidden in or near sites of magical practice, a newly built house, a well, a pond, a bridge pillar, or beneath the flag of a temple or idols, and during observances such as Dussehra.
Game taken by a sharp weapon or a trained hunting animal requires no separate zabḥ, provided the tasmiyah accompanies the release of the weapon or the animal. Its omission, or misuse of the trained animal, excludes the game from ḥalāl status.
12The sunnah method for a camel is naḥr, a cut at the root of the neck near the chest, followed by zabḥ. Zabḥ without the preceding naḥr is valid but makrūh.
Blood that flows (dam masfūḥ) from the slaughtered animal is ḥarām.
The liver and other glands, and the private parts of male and female, are makrūh to eat, distinct in status from the ḥarām ruling on flowing blood.
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 1,591 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Rulings of Slaughtering (Zabah)
- Definition of Zabah: The act of cutting the throat of an animal in a prescribed manner is called Zabah.
- The Four Important Vessels to Cut:For Zabah to be valid, these four vessels must be cut:(1) Nahrakha (Trachea) – This is the airway through which air flows in and out.(2) Mari (Esophagus) – The passage through which food and drink enter the stomach.(3) & (4) Both Jugular Veins – These are the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart, located on either side of the trachea and esophagus.
Note: If three of these vessels (either the trachea, esophagus, and one jugular vein) are cut, the slaughter is still valid and the animal is considered halal.
- Conditions for Valid Zabah:The following conditions must be met for the Zabah to be valid:(1) The slaughterer (Zabih) must be a Muslim or from the People of the Book (Jews or Christians).(2) The slaughterer must be sane (Aql).(3) The slaughterer must be conscious (not under the influence of intoxication or sleep).(4) The name of Allah must be mentioned at the time of slaughter (e.g., Bismillah wa اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ).(5) No other name (other than Allah’s) should be mentioned.(6) The slaughterer must mention Bismillah wa اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ at the time of slaughter.(7) The animal must show some signs of life when it is slaughtered.
Note: If any of these conditions are not met or violated, the meat becomes unlawful (haram) and is considered dead (maytah).
- Who Can Slaughter:The slaughterer does not have to be male or an adult. Women, minors, the uncircumcised, the mute, and those in need of a bath (janabah) can also slaughter, provided they are sane, conscious Muslims, and they say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ at the time of slaughter.
- Sunnahs of Slaughtering (Zabah):The following are recommended (Sunnah) practices for slaughtering:(1) Sharpen the knife properly before slaughtering.(2) Give water to the animal before slaughter.(3) The animal’s head should be facing south, and its face should be towards the Qiblah (direction of the Kaaba in Makkah).(4) The slaughterer should be in a state of ritual purity (Taharah).(5) The slaughterer should face the Qiblah.(6) The slaughter should be done with the right hand.(7) The slaughter should be done quickly and with precision.(8) When Saying بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ(in the name of Allah), the "ہ" in بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ should be pronounced clearly, and بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ should be said.(9) The animal should be gently laid on its left side.(10) If slaughtering a large animal, its legs should be tied (but leave the right leg free).
- How to slaughter properly:First, give the animal some water and lay it on its left side (make sure its head faces south and its mouth faces the Qibla). Hold the animal in this position and then take a sharp knife in your right hand. Say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ and cut the animal’s throat with strength and speed, making sure to cut all four veins without completely separating the head from the body. Once the veins are cut, let the animal go.
- Things that are disliked (makrooh) in slaughtering:(1) Sharpening the knife in front of the animal while it is lying down.(2) Using a dull knife that requires a lot of effort.(3) Slaughtering from the back of the neck.(4) Cutting so much that the head comes off or the knife reaches the bone marrow (the soft inside of the neck).(5) Skinning the animal or separating its head before it has cooled down.(6) Dragging the animal to the slaughtering place by its legs.(7) Slaughtering one animal in front of another.(8) Slaughtering at night.(9) Slaughtering a pregnant animal that is about to give birth.(10) Doing anything against the proper way of slaughtering.
- What tools can be used for slaughtering?A sharp knife, sword, sharp stone, bamboo, or any sharp object that can cut the veins and make blood flow is allowed. However, nails or teeth cannot be used for slaughtering.
- If the person forgets to say the name of Allah:If the person forgets to say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ while slaughtering, it is still okay, and the animal is halal (allowed to eat). But if the person does it on purpose and leaves it out, then the slaughter is not valid.
- What if there is a pause after Saying the name of Allah?If there is a short pause after Saying بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ, like putting the knife down for a moment or sharpening it, it is fine. But if the pause is too long, then the name of Allah must be said again, or the slaughter will not be halal.
- If the person’s hand moves during slaughtering:If the animal moves suddenly and causes the person to lose their grip on the knife, there is no problem. The person should quickly complete the slaughter. However, if the person intentionally stops or delays, that is wrong.
- What if the animal’s life is uncertain?If you are not sure whether the animal is alive, you just need to see some blood flowing or any movement that shows it is alive. If there is no blood or movement, then the animal is considered dead (مردار) and cannot be eaten.
Note: Closing the animal's mouth or eyes means it is alive, and opening them means it is dead. Similarly, folding the legs means the animal is alive, and spreading them means it is dead.
- Saying the name of Allah for each animal:When slaughtering more than one animal, you cannot use the same بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ for all of them. Each animal must have its own separate بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ. But if you slaughter many birds at once or tie two goats together and slaughter them at the same time, you can use the same name of Allah for all of them.
- What if the animal stands up or moves after slaughtering?If the animal stands up, runs, or makes a sound after being slaughtered, the slaughter is still valid and halal as long as the slaughter was done properly.
- If someone helps in slaughtering:If another person helps in slaughtering by holding the knife or helping with the cutting, it is allowed, but that person must also meet the conditions of slaughtering (being Muslim, conscious, etc.). If they don't meet the conditions, the slaughter will not be halal.
Note: If someone only helps by holding the animal to stop it from moving, they don’t need to say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ, but it is better if they do.
- What to do if a baby animal comes out after slaughter:If a cow, goat, or other animal is slaughtered and a live baby animal comes out from its stomach, it must also be slaughtered because the mother’s slaughter is not enough for the baby. If the baby animal is dead or not fully formed, it cannot be eaten.
- Do you need to make a special intention when slaughtering animals?There is no need to make a special intention (or read a special prayer) for each animal, like some people do. You just need to say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ and slaughter. It is fine if someone makes a special intention, but it is not necessary. What matters is that the slaughter is done properly and with the correct Saying of بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ.
- What if someone uses an old knife with no Saying of بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ?If a person uses a knife that was previously used with بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ but does not say it while slaughtering, it is wrong, and the slaughter will not be halal. The animal will be considered dead (مردار), and it cannot be eaten.
- Where is it forbidden to slaughter animals?It is strictly forbidden to slaughter a goat or any animal in front of or near a place of magic rituals, a new house, a well, a pond, a bridge pillar, or under/near any flag of temple, idols or during ceremonies like Dussehra, etc.
- What to do if an animal falls into a well or becomes wild:(1) If a lawful animal falls into a well or becomes wild, or if there is an emergency situation where you cannot slaughter it the regular way, you can use a sharp object like a spear or arrow to injure the animal. You should say while doing so. The animal should not stay alive long enough for you to slaughter it, or else the animal is considered dead and cannot be eaten.(2) If you hunt an animal with a sharp object or a trained animal, you don’t need to slaughter it. However, the sharp object or the trained animal must be used with بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ. If you forget to say it, or if the trained animal is used incorrectly, the animal is not halal.
Note: If the animal is shot with a gun or hit with a stick, the animal cannot be eaten without proper slaughter, even if بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَ اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ was said when using the gun or stick.
- How to slaughter a camel:It is recommended to slaughter a camel by first nahring (cutting the neck near the chest with a sharp object), and then slaughtering it. Although you can slaughter it without nahring, it is disliked (makrooh).
- What parts of a slaughtered animal cannot be eaten:From a halal animal, the following parts are not allowed to be eaten:
Blood that flows out of the animal.
The liver and other glands.
The private parts of male and female animals.
The flowing blood is haram (forbidden), and the other parts are disliked (makrooh).
Terms on this page
Related
- The animals for the Eid sacrifice (qurbani), the method, and dividing the meat Which animals qualify for the Eid sacrifice (qurbani), their age and condition, sharing a sacrifice between up to seven people, how to slaughter it, and how the meat and skin are divided.
- The rulings of the newborn's sacrifice (aqiqah) The sacrifice made for a newborn: when to do it, how many goats, the method and supplication (duʿā), and how the meat, hair and skin are handled.
- Severe and light impurity, what is excused, and what is not impure at all What counts as severe or light impurity, how much of each is excused on the body or clothes, and things that are not impure at all.
- The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah: stoning the great pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), the sacrifice, and shaving The order of rites on Eid day: throwing seven pebbles at the great pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), the sacrifice, and cutting the hair; and who the sacrifice is obligatory for.