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The understanding of the Islamic method known as “Halaal”
In His Divine wisdom and mercy upon mankind, Allah Almighty, The Creator of the entire Universe who is The Supreme Sovereign, has given specific allowance for man to take the life of certain animals for purposes of food. He declares in the Holy Qur’aan: “And the cattle, He has created them for you. . . and of them you eat. . . ” (Ch 16 : v 5-8)
Even in the event that we would like to consume the flesh of an animal permitted for consumption by The Almighty, we do not have the right to use cruel or inhumane methods of taking the life of the animal.
We must recall that Allah Almighty says that all creatures “are communities like you.” Hence, humankind must observe due care and attention when dealing with these creatures and grant full recognition of the “psychological needs” and “feelings” of these creatures at all times.
Methods of slaughter
We find that there are various methods of slaughter used by different communities in different parts of the world. Interestingly or rather very alarmingly, with the drive to mass produce food and the advancement of mechanised systems in slaughter houses, man has largely compromised a good number of essential requirements pertaining to the most humane method of slaughter.
We will discuss some of the negative aspects of this in some subsequent parts of this series of articles which are relating to the slaughter of animals for consumption .
However, in this article we take a look at the Islamic method as laid down by The Almighty who is the Giver of Life. It is known as the “Halaal” method.
Requirements relating to the animal, prior to slaughter
1. The animal must be lawful to eat as declared by The Almighty. Only certain categories of herbivorous animals and several species of birds (fowl) are permitted.
Carnivorous animals or animals of prey are not permitted for human consumption. Animals that feed on filth, etc. are also not permitted for consumption.
2. The animal must obviously be alive, healthy, well fed and not thirsty and it must be fully conscious prior to the slaughter.
3. The animal is only to be slaughtered for the purpose of consumption.
4. The animal must be handled gently and individually – it should not be slaughtered in front of other animals.
5. The life is to be taken in the name of Allah Almighty, The Creator who gave the life to this creature in the first instance.
Requirements relating to the slaughterer
1. The slaughterer must be a firm believer in the Oneness of the Almighty
2. The slaughterer must have a very clear understanding that life is sacred – even that of animals – and this life is only being taken by the express permission from The Almighty.
3. The slaughterer be of a sound and clear mind and not under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any intoxicants.
4. The slaughterer must be trained in the job, with an awareness of what he is doing.
Requirements relating to
the slaughter
1. The act of slaughter starts by pronouncing the name of Allah, The Creator (“Bismillah Allahu Akbar” – Meaning: “In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest”).
This serves many important purposes:
a) first and foremost it is the fulfillment of the requirement of The Almighty, as He has declared in the Holy Qur’aan “And eat not of that upon which the name of ALLAH has not been mentioned for verily it is abomination.” ( Ch 6 : v 121);
b) it is an express declaration of taking the permission of Allah Almighty;
c) it reminds the slaughterer that he is accountable and responsible before The Almighty;
d) it has a tremendous impact upon the animal, literally pacifying it as it “hears” the name of The Supreme Sovereign – its Creator;
e) in fact, any action we do in our daily life should be commenced with the mention of the name of ALLAH, The Most Kind, The Most Merciful.
2. The slaughtering instrument must be razor sharp – (it should be kept like a surgeon’s knife in sharpness and cleanliness). In the event of its dullness, it should not be sharpened in front of the animal.
3. A deep swift cut must be effected instantaneously and quickly to the neck of the animal, severing the following vessels: a) the blood vessels of the neck which include the two carotid arteries which carry blood to the brain and head and the
two jugular veins which bring blood from the brain back to the heart; b) the trachea (windpipe) and c) the oesophagus (gullet).
It is important that the central nervous system (the spinal cord) should be kept safe and intact (not cut).
Most humane and least painful method of slaughter
Islam insists that this manner of slaughter is the most humane and least painful to the animal.
This is explained by the fact that the deep, large cut through all the blood vessels of the neck causes acute blood loss and haemorrhagic shock: we know the blood is under great pressure, especially in the big carotid arteries (systolic pressure) and at high speed and, according to physical law, the pressure always goes from the high to low resistance – the point of the cut is the scene of low resistance for blood to and from the brain.
As we have a fully intact, alive heart, so most of the blood is going to be pumped and poured out instantaneously and quickly under pressure leading to a rapid fall in the blood pressure. Thus depriving the brain of its main source of oxygen and glucose, and with no blood which is necessary to keep the animal alive and functioning and able to deal with any perceptive sensation this leads to an almost immediate loss of consciousness.
The cerebrospinal fluid pressure falls even more rapidly than the blood pressure because of the jugular veins being cut, and this results in a deep shock and more loss of consciousness.
The animal, at this stage after the cut, is in a stable and quiet state with no movement or any distressed behaviour. One would assume, if there was any pain or suffering, it would kick, move or show signs.
After this short resting phase, and because the brain is deprived of oxygen and blood due to the huge amount of bleeding, the heartbeats increase in order to increase the flow of blood to the brain and other deprived areas. Tonic and colonic involuntary contractions and convulsions start and occur as automatic physiological reflexes in order to send and push blood up, especially to the brain.
These contractions and convulsions are ‘painless’ (not, as the layman would imagine, that the kicking is due to the pain) especially when the animal is already unconscious and still has an intact spinal cord with safe nerve centers to the limbs, muscles and organs.
So, we have a huge amount of bleeding from the initial cut then blood loss is continuing with the squeezing pressure of these contractions and convulsions, leading to maximum bleeding-out and less retention of blood in the carcass, giving a better quality of meat [both safer and healthier (this is like the direct method of slaughter, “but without prior stunning”)].
(…to be continued.)
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected].
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