Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (7/442)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

the heart and the place of slaughter, a considerable distance; thus, its death would be delayed. It is therefore wise to slaughter camels by piercing, so that the blood flows out quickly and they die quickly. As for other animals, the sunnah is to slaughter them at the head end of the neck, while they are lying on their left side, since this is easier for the slaughterer: he will slaughter with his right hand, so he lays the animal on its left side, places his foot on its neck, holds its head, and slaughters it. (1) (2)

However, if a man does not use his right hand—meaning that he is left-handed—then he should lay it on its right side, because that is easier for him. It is also preferable for its legs to remain free; that is, its forelegs and hind legs should neither be tied nor held. This is for two reasons:

First: it is more comfortable for the animal to remain free to move.

Second: it is more effective in draining the blood from the body.

For with movement, all the blood comes out. It is well known that draining the blood makes the meat more wholesome, better, and more complete. This is why carrion is unlawful: its blood remains congested within it and spoils the meat.

His statement, “And it is permissible to reverse this,” means piercing what is normally slaughtered by cutting the throat, and slaughtering by cutting the throat what is normally pierced. The evidence is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whatever causes the blood to flow and Allah’s name is mentioned over it

(1) Anas reported: “The Messenger of Allah sacrificed two white rams with black markings. I saw him place his foot on their sides, pronounce the name of Allah and say Allahu akbar, then slaughter them with his own hand.” Recorded by al-Bukhari, al-Adahi, chapter: “One Who Slaughters His Sacrificial Animals with His Own Hand,” no. 5558; and Muslim, al-Adahi, chapter: “The Recommendation of Selecting a Fine Sacrificial Animal,” no. 1966. (2) In Risalat al-Udhiyah (Treatise on the Sacrificial Animal), p. 98: “He should hold its head and raise it slightly so that the place of slaughter is clearly visible.”

القلب إلى محل الذبح بعيداً فيتأخر موتها، فكان من الحكمة أن تنحر، ويخرج الدم بسرعة، ثم تموت بسرعة، أما غيرها فالسنة أن تذبح من عند الرأس، ويكون على الجنب الأيسر؛ لأنه أيسر للذابح، إذ إن الذابح سوف يذبح باليد اليمنى فيضجعها على الجنب الأيسر، ثم يضع رجله على رقبتها، ثم يمسك برأسها ويذبح (١) (٢)، ولكن إذا كان الرجل لا يعمل باليد اليمنى، ـ وهو الذي يسمى أعسر ـ فإنه يضجعها على الجنب الأيمن؛ لأن ذلك أسهل له، ثم إن الأفضل أن تبقى قوائمها مطلقة، أي: اليدان والرجلان لا تقيد ولا يمسك بها، وذلك لوجهين هما: الأول: أنه أريح للبهيمة أن تكون طليقة تتحرك. الثاني: أنه أشد في إفراغ الدم من البدن. لأنه مع الحركة يخرج الدم كله، ومعلوم أن تفريغ الدم أطيب للحم، وأحسن وأكمل، ومن ثم صارت الميتة حراماً؛ لأن الدم يحتقن بها فيفسد اللحم. قوله: «ويجوز عكسها»، أي نحر ما يذبح وذبح ما ينحر، والدليل قول النبي ﷺ: «ما أنهر الدم وذكر اسم الله عليه

(١) لحديث أنس ﵁ قال: «ضحى رسول الله ﷺ بكبشين أملحين، فرأيته واضعاً قدمه على صفاحهما يسمي ويكبر، فذبحهما بيده». أخرجه البخاري في الأضاحي/ باب من ذبح الأضاحي بيده (٥٥٥٨)؛ ومسلم في الأضاحي/ باب استحباب استحسان الضحية (١٩٦٦). (٢) وفي «رسالة الأضحية» ص (٩٨): «وينبغي أن يمسك برأسها ويرفعه قليلاً ليبين محل الذبح».