Slaughtering An Animal Before It Dies
Q1. Is it permissible for one to shoot a bull/cow in the head and then slaughter it? At times, the cattle jump out of the slaughter box and are uncontrollable. Will the meat of such an animal be regarded as “stunned”, and is it fit for consumption?
A1. Firstly, we do not support the process of stunning as this is a form of oppression on the animal. Hence, one should avoid stunning the animals before slaughter. Furthermore, there are two methods of stunning; the reversible method, and the irreversible method of stunning. “Reversible stunning” refers to that type of stunning where the animal is revived after
a few minutes (after being stunned), and returns to its normal state. In other words, the animal doesn’t die after stunning. This method of stunning is acceptable and the meat will be considered as Halaal if the animal was slaughtered in accordance to Shariah after being stunned, but will still be Makrooh due to the animal being inconvenienced.
“Irreversible stunning” refers to that type of stunning where, the animal will never be revived after the stunning procedure; meaning that, the animal will die if not slaughtered immediately. This method of stunning has always been a matter of controversy amongst the scholars as there isn’t any certainty of the animal reaching the slaughterer in a state of being alive. It is possible that the animal is already dead before being slaughtered (as a result of the stunning), due to which the animal falls in the category of carrion, which is ‘Haraam.’ The slaughtering after its death bears no consequence whatsoever in making the meat ‘Halaal.’ It is due to this
reason that some Ulama do not approve of the irreversible method of stunning and advise that the meat should not be eaten. The Darul Ifta also concurs with this opinion.
Q2. If an animal is dying, or about to die, and one slaughters the animal and as a result, some blood flows, will this mean that the animal is alive?
A2. If the animal was caught alive and Tasmiyah was recited when slaughtering, it will be Halaal to consume.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 04 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 03 May 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb