Stunning animals

Question:-

Mufti saheb, what is the ruling regarding stunned meat? Are there specific scenarios where it will be permissible to consume this meat? What has to be considered when stunning an animal etc.?

Answer:-

There are two methods of stunning; the reversible method of stunning and the irreversible method of stunning. “Reversible stunning” refers to a 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. However, in spite of it being fundamentally permissible to consume the meat of such an animal, we advise that one consumes meat of unstunned animals.

“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. Our Fatwa department also concurs with this opinion.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 09 Rajab 1444 / 31 January 2023