📖Sahih Muslim 1955 a
Shaddid b. Aus said: Two are the things which I remember Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) having said: Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.
- This hadith is a narration of Shaddad bin Aus, in which he remembers two statements made by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The first statement is that Allah has enjoined goodness in everything, meaning that it is important for Muslims to do good deeds in all aspects of their lives. The second statement is related to the proper way of killing and slaughtering animals for food. The Prophet instructed his followers to perform these actions in a good and kind way, which includes sharpening the knife to ensure a quick and humane slaughter, and ensuring that the animal is comfortable during the process. This hadith highlights the importance of treating all of Allah’s creations with respect and kindness, including animals, and to be mindful of the ethics and etiquette involved in obtaining and consuming food. It is a reminder for Muslims to be conscious of their actions and to strive to do good in all aspects of their lives.
Halal Meat and Ethical Responsibility in Islam
In Islam, there are certain animals that are considered halal (permissible) for consumption, such as cows, sheep, goats, and certain types of poultry. These animals can be consumed for meat as long as they are slaughtered in accordance with Islamic guidelines, and their meat is free from any prohibited substances. However, it is also mentioned in Hadith Sunan al-Nasā’ī 4445 (the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad) that wasteful killing of animals is prohibited in Islam. This means that killing an animal without a justifiable reason or using more than what is needed is considered wasteful and is discouraged. Islam emphasizes the importance of being responsible stewards of the earth and its resources, including its animal life. Muslims are encouraged to use resources wisely and to avoid causing harm or suffering to animals unnecessarily. Therefore, while halal meat is permissible for consumption in Islam, Muslims are also urged to be mindful of the ethical and environmental implications of their choices and to avoid wasteful practices
