Huraira. Sahih Mulim - Kitab-ul-Imam [Ref. No. 46]; Chapt. XXXIX, Vol.I; p. 52. Bukhari,
4:23. Also Awn [Ref. No. 32]; Hadith No. 2857)
The Arabic word for "breathing beings" is "Nafs." Until recently it used to be taken as meaning
"human beings" only. All the Arabic dictionaries give the meaning of "Nafs" as "Ruh" (soul), and
since they are breathing creatures, there seems to be no reason why the Qur'anic verses No.
6:151, 152 and others should not comprehend all "breathing beings," i.e. all species of animals.
These verses should be read in conjunction with other verses of the Qur'an Majeed and
numerous Ahadith which speak of the sanctity of life as a whole, declare animals as possessing
soul (zi Ruhin), and place animals physically on a par with human beings.
The baneful {sinful} things are: polytheism; disobedience to parents; the killing of breathing
beings without a valid reason. (id. Narrated by Abdullah Ibn 'Amr)
Slaughter of Animals Used for Food
Meat-eating is neither encouraged nor even recommended by Islam: "Say {O Muhammad!} I
find not in what has been revealed to me any food {meat} forbidden to those who wish to eat it,
unless it be dead meat, or blood that pours forth, or the flesh of swine — for it is unclean {rijs} —
or the sacriligious {fisq} meat which has been slaughtered in anybody's name other than that of
Allah." It is significant to note that these laws have been laid down for those "who wish to eat it"
(Ta'imin yat'amohu). Eating meat is not required.
While Islam permits eating meat, it gives instructions to ensure humane slaughter, with as little
pain to the victim as possible:
God's Messenger was reported as saying: "Allah Who is Blessed and Exalted, has
prescribed benevolence toward everything {and has ordained that everything be done in
a good way}; so, when you must kill a living being, do it in the best manner and, when
you slaughter an animal, you should {use the best method and} sharpen your knife so as
to cause the animal as little pain as possible." (Narrated by Shaddad bin Aus. Muslim;
Vol. 2, Chapter 11; Section on "Slaying"; 10:739, verse 151. Also "Robson" [Ref. No.
15]; p. 872. Also recorded in Riyad [Ref. No. 28]; Hadith No. 643; p. 131)
The Messenger of Allah was heard forbidding to keep waiting a quadruped or any other
animal for slaughter. (Bukhari. Also Muslim; Vol. 2, Chapter 11; Section on "Slaying";
10:739; verse 152. Also "Robson" (Ref. NO. 15), p. 872)
The Prophet forbade all living creatures to be slaughtered while tied up
and bound. (id. [Ref. No. 46]; Hadith No. 4817; p. 1079)
The Holy Prophet said to a man who was sharpening his knife in the presence of the
animal: "Do you intend inflicting death on the animal twice — once by sharpening the
knife within its sight, and once by cutting its throat?" (Al-Furu Min-al-Kafi Lil-Kulini; 6:230)
Hazrat Imam Ali says: "Do not slaughter sheep in the presence of other sheep, or any animal in
the presence of other animals." (id. [for Hazrat Ali see Ref. No. 4])
Hazrat 'Omar once saw a man denying a sheep, which he was going to slaughter, a satiating
measure of water to drink. He gave the man a beating with his lash and told him: "Go, water it
properly at the time of its death, you knave!" (Reported by Ibn Sirin about Hazrat 'Omar and
recorded in Badae al-Sande; 6:2811.)
If animals have been subjected to cruelties in their breeding, transport, slaughter, or in their
general welfare, meat from them is considered impure and unlawful to eat (Haram). The flesh of
animals killed by cruel methods (Al-Muthiah) is carrion (Al-Mujaththamah). Even if these animals
have been slaughtered in the strictest Islamic manner, if cruelties were inflicted on them
otherwise, their flesh is still forbidden (Haram) food:
Oh, ye messengers! Eat of the good things {tayyibat} and do righteous deeds. Surely, I
know what you do. (Qur'an.23:51)
Oh believers! Eat what We have provided for you of lawful and good things, and give
thanks for Allah's favour, if it is He whom you serve. (Qur'an 2:172; 16:114)
The word "Tayyib," translated as "good," "pure," "wholesome," etc. means pure both in the
physical and the moral sense.
The main counsel of Islam in the slaughter of animals for food is to do it in the least painful
manner. All the Islamic laws on the treatment of animals, including the method of slaughter, are
based in all conscience on "the spirit" of compassion, fellow-feeling, and benevolence:
Allah, Who is Blessed and Exalted, has prescribed benevolence toward everything and
has ordained that everything be done in the right way; so when you must kill a living
being, do it in the proper way — when you slaughter an animal, use the best method and
sharpen your knife so as to cause as little pain as possible. (The Sahih Mulsim, 2:156.
Also Al-Taaj fi Jaami al-Usool, Vol. 3, p. 110, Cairo Edition. Also Al-Faruo min-al-Kafi, p.
2, and others.)
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