43/20. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4403 — The Basic Rule of Halal Slaughter
Prohibition Of Slaughtering With Nails
Halal Slaughter Rule: Blood, Allah's Name, and Valid Tools
Sunan an-Nasai : 4403
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4403
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبَايَةَ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ، عَنْ رَافِعِ بْنِ خَدِيجٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا أَنْهَرَ الدَّمَ وَذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ فَكُلْ إِلاَّ بِسِنٍّ أَوْ ظُفْرٍ " .
Rafi' bin Khadij Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "If the blood is shed and the name of Allah is mentioned, then eat, unless (it is slaughtered) with teeth or nails."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4403In-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 43English translation : Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4408
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4403
This hadith states a direct rule for halal slaughter in Islam. The Prophet said that when the blood is shed and the name of Allah is mentioned, the meat may be eaten. He then made an exception for slaughtering with teeth or nails. The wording keeps the main conditions easy to understand: the slaughter must release the blood, Allah's name must be said, and the two excluded tools must not be used. The narration does not explain every detail behind those exclusions, so the explanation should not go beyond what is stated here. This is a useful hadith for anyone searching for the Islamic method of slaughter, Bismillah before slaughter, or valid slaughtering tools. It links the physical act of slaughter with remembrance of Allah and gives a clear boundary concerning teeth and nails.
What we learn from this hadith
- The slaughter should cause the animal's blood to flow.
- Allah's name should be mentioned during the slaughter.
- Teeth are excluded as slaughtering tools in this report.
- Nails are also excluded as slaughtering tools.
