43/27. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4413 — Mercy Through Proper Slaughter
Slaughtering Well
Mercy to Animals Through Proper Islamic Slaughter
Sunan an-Nasai : 4413
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4413
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَشْعَثِ، عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ كَتَبَ الإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذَّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ ثُمَّ لِيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ " .
Shaddad bin Aws Narrated from:
I heard two things from the Messenger of Allah He said 'Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has decreed proficiency in all things, so when you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let one of you sharpen his blade and spear suffering to the animal he slaughter."" (Sahih)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4413In-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 53English translation : Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4418
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4413
Shaddad bin Aws reports that he heard this teaching from the Prophet. Allah has decreed proficiency in all things, so killing should be done well and slaughter should be done well. The Prophet then instructed the person carrying out the slaughter to sharpen the blade and give relief to the animal. This hadith about mercy to animals is practical rather than abstract. It points to the condition of the blade and the way the act is performed. A poorly prepared tool can increase suffering, while a sharpened blade supports the care commanded in the narration. The lesson is not to delay or complicate the act through negligence. It is to carry it out correctly, with skill and with concern for the animal's suffering.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet linked slaughter with the general duty of ihsan.
- The blade should be made sharp before it is used.
- The person should avoid causing extra suffering to the animal.
- Skill and care should be present together during slaughter.
