Slaughtering Practices in Contemporary Forms in the Light of Islamic Teachings: A Critical Analytical Study ذبیحہ کی معاصر صورتوں کا اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں تحقیقی جائزہ

Abstract

Islam is a complete and comprehensive religion that provides guidance in all aspects of human life. Its teachings are preserved in the Holy Qur’an and authentic Hadith, which remain a source of guidance for Muslims until the Day of Judgment. One of the important aspects of daily life in Islam is the slaughtering of animals, for which clear Prophetic instructions are available. According to Hadith literature, an animal should not be slaughtered in the presence of other animals, nor should it witness the tools of slaughter. It is also recommended that the animal be made to face the Qiblah and that post-slaughter procedures such as cutting the neck or skinning should only be carried out after the soul has departed. In the contemporary era of technological advancement, new methods of slaughtering have emerged, including mechanized slaughterhouses and automated systems controlled by machines, especially in state-regulated facilities in various countries. These developments have raised important jurisprudential questions regarding the permissibility of stunning animals before slaughter and machine-assisted slaughtering methods. This article critically examines modern slaughtering practices in the light of Islamic teachings, with special reference to the rulings concerning halal and haram, the ethics of slaughter, pre-slaughter stunning, and mechanized slaughter systems.