Although one of the most joyful amusements that we usually choose, is to grab some chicken and meat from a supermarket or a Halal butcher and go out to the parks for a barbeque day, many of us have never thought about killing an animal and then barbecuing it.

Has it ever happened to you to be stuck in a village and have no access to butchers? Those of us who are more adventurous may have experienced camping in nature or visiting outlying villages. In such situations usually making a fire and roasting chicken or beef gives us the exciting sense of early humans. But who would be the one to kill that chicken, sheep, or cow and make it Islamically lawful (Halal)?

In this short text, I am going to provide you with a guideline of how to slaughter an animal according to Islamic law. But before starting on the Islamic slaughtering guideline, I know that you may have a bad feeling about killing animals, (as if other meats that we buy from butchers or supermarkets have been flourished in jungles beside mushrooms!!).

Or that many animal rights activists may condemn us for the Islamic slaughtering of animals. Therefore I would shortly argue if the Islamic way of slaughtering animals is a humane act or not?

Is slaughtering humane?

Eating meat has been naturally and instinctively downloaded in human beings! Our body has been created in a way to digest both meat and vegetables. That is why PKU is known as an inborn error of metabolism that causes an amino acid known as phenylalanine to build up in the blood because the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme is either missing or not working properly [1]. People who suffer from PKU must live vegan as they lack this metabolism system.

God has created us meat-eaters and has permitted us to eat meat (but those that he has named forbidden (Haram)). Therefore having created human beings, the environment, and the animals, God knows best how nature's life-cycle must run.

Animals obey the rules of this cycle instinctively. However, having a quick search in the Quran and study the verses about food and drink, one can realize that opposing to slaughter or avoiding to eat animals is not something new that belongs to this century. “Why should you not eat that over which Allah’s Name has been mentioned, while He has already elaborated for you whatever He has forbidden you, excepting what you may be compelled to [eat in an emergency]? Indeed many mislead [others] by their fancies, without any knowledge. Indeed your Lord knows best the transgressors.” (6:119)

The Islamic slaughter: Rules and rituals

Now imagine we are in a far-away village, gathering with a group of friends. Of course, there are no butchers, nor a supermarket from which we can buy food. But there is a beautiful white lamb grazing in the field. How does it become lawful (Halal) to roast?

First of all, we have to buy it from the owner.

Don’t forget that the animal must be Halal-meated [2].

It is recommended to water the animal before the slaughter and do the slaughter job in a way that the animal feels the minimum pain and distress. And it is detestable (Makruh) to slaughter the animal in a place where other animals can see. It is also detestable (Makruh) to slaughter that animal that one has brought up and has an emotional connection to it [3].

Then we have to make sure that we follow the rules as below:

It must be facing the holy Kaaba (Qibla) when slaughtered.
The person performing the slaughter must mention the name of Allah as he slaughters the animal.
The slaughtering must be done with sharp metal so that the animal does not suffer much, and it happens as quickly as possible.
It must be slaughtered with a specific method in which the four main veins (the throat, windpipe, and blood vessels) are cut, without cutting the spinal cord.
The animal must show some sign of movement after being slaughtered, especially if there was some doubt whether the animal was alive before being slaughtered.
There must be a natural emission of blood from the animal after the act of slaughtering[i] [4].

Benefits of Islamic Slaughtering

As Islamic slaughtering is taken from the Quran and Prophet’s (PBUH&HP) conduct, it is known to be the best way of killing an animal in which it feels the least pain. Also, there are many scientific reasons behind this method of slaughter.

For example, the blood being drained entirely before the head is removed causes the emission of most of the blood which would serve as a suitable culture medium for microorganisms. Or for example, it is said in Islamic law that the spinal cord must not be cut, and the scientific reason found for this rule is that the nerve fibers to the heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels [6].

There are some scientific explanations found to justify the fact that Islamic slaughtering is the best way of slaughtering. However, there are still many scientific and spiritual reasons that we are yet aware of. It is NOT impossible to find scientific reasons for God’s orders and prohibitions, but it is always easier to trust Him and obey His rulings for a more profitable life.

Notes: 
[i] It is permitted to stun the animal before slaughtering as it causes less pain and distress for it. However, the animal must be alive after stunning [5].

References:

1. slaughtering
2. Read about ­Halal-meated animals
3. trans
4. islamic laws
5. trans
6. slaughtering

Have you ever thought about the concept of earning in Islam? Or what role wealth plays in our lives and why we really need to earn money? To some people, money could be a result of the exchange of value. In other words, what you are doing is of value to someone, and that is why you are paid for it.  

You might get excited to know the value you are delivering to people is making their lives better; then you will be probably more motivated to enhance your get-rich potential and try to make more and more money! This would be an ideal reason for someone to earn money. However, we all need money to spend for certain reasons, e.g., food, clothing, shelter, etc.

What Does Earning in Islam Suggest?

Muslims believe wealth is one of the innumerous blessings of Allah that is referred to as ‘Khair’ -meaning goodness- in some verses of the Holy Quran (2:215, 2:180). In another verse, it is mentioned as an attraction of this worldly life (18:46). What’s more, gaining wealth has been given so much importance in the religion of Islam that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) says: “Seeking lawful earnings is compulsory for every Muslim” [1].

Islam also seriously recommends attaining the sustenance provided by God through hard work and striving. It is stated in the Islamic narrations that Allah does not like a person who prays for income while he has quit earning and does not try for it [2]. The holy Quran also says:

“That nothing belongs to man except what he strives for, and that he will soon be shown his endeavor, then he will be rewarded for it with the fullest reward” (53:39-41).

How Should We Earn Money?

Along with the importance Islam attaches to gaining wealth through hard work, it places greater emphasis on making money through lawful (Halal) ways.

“Eat of what is lawful and pure in the earth, and do not follow in Satan’s steps” (2:168).

Based on this verse, consuming only what is lawful (Halal) and good, and abstaining from unlawful (Haram) things, are among the basic principles of the Islamic lifestyle. Many Islamic narrations advise and praise the acquisition of livelihood through fair means, i.e., NOT through stealing, cheating, betting, etc. Islam actually underscores the importance of productive enterprises that can increase output and generate jobs; this is the reason why earning money through gambling is Haram in this religion.

Some Features of a Lawful Income in a Prophetic Tradition:

According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in order for an income (in trading) to be Halal, one should not

fault the product he/she is buying,
praise the product he/she is selling,
deceive anyone
swear to God while trading [3].

The Benefits of Lawful Earning in Islam

“Whoever lives on Halal earnings for forty days, God shall enlighten his heart” [4]. Some benefits of earning income through fair means are:

Receiving the Protection of God

Allah says: “If what you eat is Halal and pure, I will protect you” [5].

Acceptance of Prayer

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) says if you want your prayer to be accepted and fulfilled by Allah, make sure your income is Halal and pure [6].

Receiving God’s Glory and Honor on the Day of Judgment [7]

Strengthening One’s Faith [i]

Getting Allah’s Blessings and Favors (Barakah):

Your income sometimes may not seem enough, but if it is gained through Halal ways, it will be blessed by Allah; so it will suffice: “And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him” (65:3)

The Adverse Effects of Unlawful Earning in Islam

“You see many of them actively engaged in sin and aggression, and consuming illicit gains. Surely, evil is what they have been doing” (5:62).

Here are a few negative effects that await people who choose the wrong way of earning money (by foul means) either for their greed or deprivation:

Their Halal income will be reduced, and they will be deprived of Allah’s blessings (Barakah) [8]
Their prayers will not be answered [9].
They will become hard-hearted and cruel [9].
Consumption of Haram will have negative effects on their offspring and descendants [9].
Our sustenance lies with Allah

Finally, we should always remember that God is the All-provider (51:58) who has ordained Halal sustenance for all creatures, and the creatures’ efforts to earn their living is placed alongside His will. So, we will definitely reach what is provided for us by Him if we try more patiently, and if we are content with and thankful for what we already have.

God has not forgotten any of us; the Holy Quran says: “There is no animal on the earth, but that its sustenance lies with Allah, and He knows its [enduring] abode and its temporary place of lodging. Everything is in a manifest Book” (11:6) Then we had better avoid what Allah has told us is unlawful (Haram) since:

“Yet it may be that you dislike something, which is good for you, and it may be that you love something, which is bad for you, and Allah knows, and you do not know” (2:216).

Notes:
[i] “Never give up striving for lawful livelihood as it reinforces your faith”. Imam Sadiq (AS) [10]

References:

1. Bihar al-Anvar, vol. 103, p. 9
2. Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, Mafatih al-Hayat, p. 582
3. Ibid p.589
4. Bihar al-Anvar, vol. 53, p. 326
5. Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, Mafatih al-Hayat, p.589
6. al- Daawat, p. 24
7. Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 14, p. 249
8. Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, Mafatih al-Hayat, p. 593
9. earning in Islam
10. Bihar al-Anvar, vol. 71, p.128