Islamic slaughter

[mohsie]

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns - and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal - unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) and that which is sacrificed (slaughtered) on AnNusub (stone altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or decision, (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat these above-mentioned meats), then surely, Allah is OftForgiving, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 5:3)


This Aayah says that it is ok to slaughter an animal that is dying, but is not dead yet. I think the idea behind slaughtering the animal is that we trust Allah that He will take the soul of the animal right before the knife goes through the neck, such that the animal does not feel any pain. However, using electricity to immobilize the animal or to make it unconscious (although not particularly forbidden) is kind of over-riding the trust in Allah. In addition, the electricity itself will cause pain to the animal (unless proven otherwise). Also, killing an unconscious animal does not sound morally right. It is Sunnah to give the animal some water to drink before slaughtering it... This cannot be done if the animal is unconscious. Also, there is no evidence in the hadith or sunnah that the animal was immobilized or made unconscious before slaughtering... And ALLAH knows best.