10 Sunnah to Slaughter Sacrificial Animals to Make Their Meat Halal for Consumption

Dream - Soon Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha. This holiday is synonymous with the slaughter of sacrificial animals. Muslims who have excess wealth are encouraged to buy sacrificial animals to be slaughtered on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah or the following days of Tashreeq.

The slaughter of animals must be done in accordance with Islamic law so that the meat of the animal becomes halal for consumption. The slaughter of sacrificial animals must be done in a good manner, not just killing or torturing the animal.

The slaughter of sacrificial animals can be done in a simple or traditional way. This method is usually done on a small scale or within households. Meanwhile, there is also mechanical slaughter which is commonly done on a large scale in a company.

However, to produce halal meat, the slaughter must be done properly and in accordance with the rules in Islam.

In the slaughter of sacrificial animals, there are several sunnahs that must be understood. These sunnahs are practiced during the process of slaughtering the animal. So, the person in charge of slaughtering the sacrificial animal must be aware of these sunnahs. Here are the sunnahs of slaughtering sacrificial animals that Muslims must know:

Sunnahs of Slaughtering Sacrificial Animals

1. Facing the Qibla

The first sunnah is facing the qibla. The sacrificial animal should be facing the qibla when it is being slaughtered. So it's not the person who faces the qibla, but the sacrificial animal. There are no specific rules regarding this, but facing the qibla when slaughtering the sacrificial animal is part of the sunnah.

2. Sincere Intention

The second sunnah is having a sincere intention. It is important for the person performing the slaughter to have a sincere intention solely for the sake of Allah SWT. This intention must be in the heart before performing the slaughter. Before slaughtering the sacrificial animal, it is recommended to recite the intention in the heart, such as "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" or "I am slaughtering this animal for the sake of Allah, Allah is the Greatest."

3. Appropriate Timing

The third sunnah is to pay attention to the appropriate timing. Slaughtering the sacrificial animal is recommended to be done after the Eid al-Adha prayer and before sunset on the day of Eid al-Adha. However, if there is a specific reason, the slaughter can be performed within three days after that.

4. Properly Preparing the Animal

The next sunnah of slaughtering sacrificial animals is to properly prepare the animal. The sacrificial animal to be slaughtered must be properly prepared, which includes being given sufficient food and water, well taken care of, and not mistreated before slaughter. The well-being of the animal must be considered in Islam.

5. Slaughtering at the Base of the Neck

The next sunnah of slaughtering animals is to slaughter at the base of the neck. Especially for animals with long necks. This is to ensure that the knife used does not easily slip. Then the neck veins and esophagus can be quickly severed. This way, the animal dies quickly and does not suffer.

6. Proper Slaughtering Technique

The slaughter must be done using a sharp knife to minimize the animal's suffering. The slaughter is performed by cutting the esophagus, carotid artery, and jugular vein in the animal's neck.

7. Use a Sharp Tool

Furthermore, the sunnah of slaughtering sacrificial animals is to use a sharp tool. The tool used must be sharp to alleviate the pain suffered by the animal.

The next sunnah of slaughtering animals is to expedite the slaughter process. This is important so that the animal does not suffer. Because the animal must be treated well from the beginning to the end of the slaughter process.

This sunnah is carried out in accordance with the following hadith narrated by Muslim: "Indeed, Allah has prescribed ihsan (excellence) in all things. So, if you kill, kill well. If you slaughter, slaughter well, and sharpen your knife and give comfort to the animal you slaughter" (Narrated by Muslim).

8. Lay the Animal on Its Left Side

The fifth sunnah of slaughtering sacrificial animals is to lay the animal on its left side. This is done to make it easier for the person slaughtering to cut the neck veins of the animal.

Once the slaughter of the sacrificial animal is completed, it is recommended to recite the takbir such as "Allahu Akbar" to express the greatness of Allah SWT.

9. Distribute the Meat to the Poor

Most of the meat from the sacrificial animal should be given to the poor, those in need, neighbors, and less fortunate family members. This represents the generosity and sharing attitude in Islam.

10. Consuming the Sacrificial Meat

Consuming the sacrificial meat is also recommended. The sacrificial meat can be cooked and consumed by oneself or given to family and neighbors.

It is important to note that these sunnahs are based on the practices and guidance of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and may vary in different traditions or cultures in various regions. However, the essence of the sacrifice worship is sincere intention and following religious guidance.