Dua for Slaughtering: Recitation & Islamic Guidance

Dua When Slaughtering: A Comprehensive Guide Performing the act of slaughtering requires careful adherence to Islamic guidelines. Whether it’s for dua when slaughtering an animal intended as a sacrifice or for …

Dua When Slaughtering: A Comprehensive Guide

Performing the act of slaughtering requires careful adherence to Islamic guidelines. Whether it’s for dua when slaughtering an animal intended as a sacrifice or for other purposes, reciting the prescribed phrases is crucial. If the ‘bismillah’ (in the name of Allah) is intentionally omitted during slaughter, the meat is considered impermissible. However, unintentional omission doesn’t invalidate the meat.

Preparing the Animal

Islamic etiquette dictates that the animal should be transported to the place of slaughter without causing it unnecessary distress. The animal’s head and feet should ideally face towards the qibla (direction of prayer). One hind leg is freed, while the others are bound, and the following verses are recited by the owner or their representative:

Dua to Recite During Slaughter

During the slaughter process, the following phrases are traditionally uttered:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ اَللّٰهُ اَكْبَرُ
Bismillahi Allâhü ekber! (In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest!)

The following verses from the Quran can also be recited:

Surah Al-An’am Verse 79

اِنّ۪ي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذ۪ي فَطَرَ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضَ حَن۪يفاً وَمَٓا اَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِك۪ينَ

“Indeed, I have turned my face toward Allah, who has created the heavens and the earth, as a pure monotheist, and I am not of those who associate [anything] with Him.” (Surah Al-An’am 79)

Surah Al-An’am Verse 162

قُلْ اِنَّ صَلَات۪ي وَنُسُك۪ي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَات۪ي لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَم۪ينَ لَا شَر۪يكَ لَهُ وَبِذٰلِكَ اُمِرْتُ وَاَنَا اَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِم۪ينَ

“Say, [O Muhammad], “Indeed, my prayer, my rites, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no partner for Him; and that is what I have been commanded, and I am of the Muslims.” (Surah Al-An’am 162)

Following these verses, the takbir (declaration of God’s greatness) can be recited.

The Takbir

اَللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ اَللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ، لَا اِلهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ، اَللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

The takbir is recited as: “Allâhü ekber Allâhü ekber lâ ilâhe illallâhü vallâhü ekber Allâhü ekber ve lillâhi’l-hamd.” This translates to, “Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and all praise belongs to Allah.”

Proper Slaughtering Procedure

With the utterance of ‘Bismillahi Allâhü Ekber,’ a sharp knife is used to swiftly cut through the animal’s neck. The arteries and veins are completely severed, ensuring that blood flows freely.

The animal is then left until it is entirely deceased before its head is removed and the skin is carefully removed. The carcass is opened, internal organs are extracted, and the body and meat are divided appropriately.

It is prohibited to sever the animal’s head or limbs prematurely, skin it before it dies, turn it away from the qibla, or inflict unnecessary suffering upon it. While the owner can perform the slaughter themselves, it is preferable for someone else to do so.