Sophie Bennett
When slaughtering a chicken according to Islamic law, it is recommended that the animal is made to face towards the qiblah (the direction a Muslim faces when praying) at the time of slaughter. However, this is not obligatory, and the meat will still be halal if the animal is facing another direction. The person slaughtering the chicken must be a Muslim or a person of the Book (a follower of Judaism or Christianity). They must use a sharp knife to cut the chicken's throat, severing the artery, vein, and windpipe in a single swipe, and the name of Allah must be invoked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can perform the slaughter | A Muslim or a person of the Book (someone of the Christian or Jewish faith) |
| Direction to face | Qiblah (Mecca) |
| Animal's position | Directed towards the Qiblah by its neck, not by its face |
| Animal's consciousness | Conscious |
| Cut | From the front (chest) to the back of the neck |
| Vessels to be cut | Artery, vein, windpipe, oesophagus, and two jugular veins |
| Draining of blood | Required |
| Recitation | Name of Allah |
| Prayer | Halal prayer for each animal |
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What You'll Learn
The direction of the Qiblah
When slaughtering a chicken, Muslims follow specific rituals and procedures to ensure the meat is halal, or permissible to eat. One of these rituals involves the direction of the Qiblah, which is considered the noblest of directions.
The Qiblah is the direction that Muslims face when praying, and it is towards the Kaaba in Mecca. When slaughtering an animal, it is considered Sunnah, or traditional, for the animal to face the Qiblah. This is based on narrations from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions, such as Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allaah and 'Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with them).
According to these narrations, the Prophet turned his sacrifices to face the Qiblah and encouraged others to do the same. He is quoted as saying, "Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth." While facing the Qiblah during slaughter is not obligatory, some scholars, like Ibn 'Umar, disliked eating meat from animals that were not slaughtered while facing the Qiblah.
Therefore, when slaughtering a chicken, Muslims are encouraged to position the chicken's neck to face the Qiblah. This is done by directing the chicken's neck towards Mecca, which is located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. The specific direction may vary depending on the location of the slaughter, but the intention is to align with the direction of prayer.
In addition to facing the Qiblah, there are other important rituals to ensure halal slaughter. This includes reciting the name of Allah or Basmalah during the slaughter, using a sharp knife to swiftly cut the throat and sever the artery, vein, and windpipe, and draining the blood from the carcass. These practices are intended to ensure the humane and merciful treatment of animals according to Islamic law.
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The name of Allah
Islamic slaughter, or dhabiha, is a ritual method of slaughtering animals that is governed by a set of strict rules. For meat to be considered halal, it must be sourced from animals that have been slaughtered in a specific way. The animal must be sacrificed with a sharp knife to minimise pain and the cut must be made quickly. The windpipe (throat), food tract (oesophagus), and the two jugular veins must be cut, and the animal's blood must be drained.
The slaughterer must be a Muslim or a person of the Book, meaning someone who follows the religion of Judaism or Christianity. Before slaughter, the name of Allah must be mentioned to take Allah's permission and carry out the slaughter under His name and His name only. The animal should be directed towards the Qiblah by its neck, as this is the desired direction in acts of obedience to Allah.
In addition, the halal prayer must be said for each animal. The slaughter must be performed in the appropriate ritual manner, and the animal must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter. While most animals killed by halal methods are stunned before slaughter, some Muslims oppose any stunning, arguing that their method is the most humane.
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Severing the artery, vein and windpipe
Halal slaughter requires the throat to be cut, severing the artery, vein, and windpipe. The animal must be alive and healthy, and a Muslim must perform the slaughter in the appropriate ritual manner. The cut must be made from the front (chest) to the back of the neck.
The carotid arteries and jugular veins are the most important to sever, as they supply oxygenated blood to the brain. The carotid arteries are typically visible on the surface of the muscle near the head in chickens. The jugular veins lie just under the skin, and have thin walls, so blood can be seen within them.
The windpipe (or trachea) must also be cut. This, along with the food tract (oesophagus), runs through the entire neck, so there is no specific place that needs to be cut. The requirement is simply that these parts are severed.
To achieve a quick death, the cut must be rapid and profuse in blood loss. Ideally, all four major blood vessels in the neck should be severed to prevent oxygenated blood from reaching the brain. This will cause brain cells to die, preventing the recovery of consciousness.
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Draining the blood
Islamic law prescribes a specific method for slaughtering animals, known as halal or zabihah. This method involves cutting the animal's throat to sever the artery, vein, and windpipe, and allowing the blood to drain from the carcass. While the majority of animals slaughtered by halal methods are stunned beforehand, some Muslims oppose any stunning, arguing that their method is the most humane.
The first step in the Islamic slaughtering process is to recite the name of Allah and perform the halal prayer. The animal must be sacrificed by a Muslim or a "person of the Book" (someone who follows the religion of Judaism or Christianity). It is recommended that both the slaughterer and the animal face the Qiblah, or Mecca, during the ritual.
To ensure the animal's welfare, Islamic law mandates the use of a sharp knife to minimize pain and expedite the process. The knife should be placed directly over the chicken's throat and windpipe, severing the carotid artery, jugular vein, and windpipe in a single swift motion. This precise cut ensures that all the blood vessels are cut, allowing for effective blood drainage.
The speed and precision of the throat-cutting process are essential to minimize the animal's suffering. The use of a sharp knife and specific cutting technique help achieve a quick and humane slaughter. By severing the critical blood vessels in one swift motion, the chicken loses consciousness rapidly, reducing any potential pain or distress.
In conclusion, the Islamic method of slaughter, or halal, includes specific rituals such as reciting the name of Allah and facing the Qiblah. The key mechanical aspect of this method is the swift and precise throat-cutting technique, which severs vital blood vessels and facilitates blood drainage. Draining the blood is essential for both religious compliance and meat preparation, ensuring that the chicken is properly prepared for consumption according to Islamic law.
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Stunning beforehand
In recent decades, stunning methods have become more acceptable for Halal slaughter due to religious rulings (Fatwas) issued by a growing number of Muslim countries. These rulings have led to a large number of animals being stunned before slaughter for the Halal meat market. For instance, it is now estimated that in Halal slaughter, 84% of poultry, 75% of cattle, and 63% of sheep and goats are stunned before slaughter.
The acceptability of stunning methods for Halal slaughter varies among different Muslim communities and countries. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 88% of animals slaughtered by Halal methods are stunned beforehand using methods that are considered religiously acceptable by many Muslims. This includes electronic stunning to the head for sheep and lambs and the use of electrified water baths for poultry, rendering the animals unconscious without killing them.
However, it is important to note that certain stunning methods are not permitted under Halal rules. For example, another method of stunning that induces cardiac arrest is prohibited. Additionally, the slaughter must be performed by a Muslim in the appropriate ritual manner, which includes severing the artery, vein, and windpipe in a single swipe with a sharp knife.
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Frequently asked questions
The animal must be alive and healthy, and a Muslim must perform the slaughter. The name of Allah must be said at the time of slaughter while facing Mecca, and the animal's throat must be cut by a sharp knife severing the artery, vein, and windpipe in a single swipe. The blood must then be drained from the carcass.
It is recommended that the slaughterer faces the Qiblah, and the animal should be directed towards the Qiblah by its neck.
The windpipe (throat), food tract (oesophagus), and the two jugular veins must be cut. The cut should be made from the front (chest) to the back of the neck.
While many assume that animals are not stunned before halal slaughter, an estimated 88% of animals killed by halal methods in Britain are stunned beforehand in a way that is religiously acceptable.
