Halal Slaughtering: Is it more humane?

There is an ongoing debate around whether slaughtering animals in a halal manner is more humane or less humane compared to the various methods of non-halal slaughter that exist. But who decides what is considered humane? We come from different parts of the world and hold perceptions that may differ with each other. However, where people and the manner of slaughtering differs, the one common denominator is the animal that is being slaughtered, and what is best for the animal should essentially be at the center of our concern.

“Verily Allah has prescribed Ihsan in all things. So if you kill then kill well; and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” (Muslim)

In this hadith, Allah instructs us to strive to do all things with excellence, including the slaughtering of animals.

Stunning

According to the FDA, it is required for animals to be stunned prior to dressing:

§1902. Humane methods

(a) in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals are rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical , chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; or
Ever since the “Slaughter of Animals Act 1933” was passed in the United States of America, cattle and other such animals that are not slaughtered according to religious law fall under the mandate of secular humane laws.

These animals are required to be stunned prior to slaughter. The most prevalent method of stunning being captive bolt stunning. The stunner uses a pointed bolt propelled by pressurized air to penetrate the skull of the animal, enter its cranium, and catastrophically damage the brain.

The animal becomes limp, unresponsive, and concussed. This method physically destroys brain matter, which can sometimes cause brain tissue to enter the blood stream. If it does, other tissue can become contaminated via bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, colloquially known as mad cow disease)

The animal may also be gassed, smashed with a heavy rock or hammer, tazed.

Our belief is that all of these methods are inferior to the halal method of slaughter, as they cause unnecessary harm to the animal. When stunning, the animal is still alive before the dressing takes place, which means, it still has a capacity to feel.

Halal Slaughter

According to Islamic law, the following needs to be observed when slaughtering:

The slaughterer must cut both the windpipe and the esophagus along with the jugular veins. This ensures that the main nerves that relay pain to the animal are severed immediately.

It is imperative that the slaughterer cut swiftly and not take his time, such that he has to cut more the 2 swipes. Ibn Hajar Haytami lists not slaughtering as quickly and painlessly as possible as one of the major sins. It is recommended to both sharpen the knife, and feed the animal ahead of time so as to calm its nerves and remove anxiety.

According to the Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy , in a 1980 study on the effects of stress on livestock and meat quality, it was found that stunning creates more anxiety due to the stress experienced between the stunning and the bleed out of the animal. The halal slaughter method does not encounter this, as the swipe of the knife directly correlates to the loss of blood supply.

Muslims care for their animals before slaughtering them. The Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?" He (ﷺ) said, "A reward is given in connection with every living creature" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). We take from this hadith that we should care for animals to seek reward from Allah. The Prophet also mentioned: " May God curse the one who disfigures an animal."