dull instrument. Causing an animal pain for human benefit is recognized in the Sacred Law. A man may cauterize and brand his camels, and likewise brand his sheep, even though this causes them pain, because it serves his interest by preventing them from being lost or confused with another person’s livestock, for example. Similarly, a man may designate camels or cattle as sacrificial offerings by marking them: this consists of making an incision in the hump until blood flows, so that it may be known that they are sacrificial animals. Although this causes them pain, it is done for the legitimate benefit involved.

His statement, “and that he sharpens it while the animal watches,” means that he sharpens the instrument while the animal is looking on. The clause “while the animal watches” is circumstantial—that is, while it sees him—because the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded that blades be sharpened (1) and concealed from livestock (2). Thus, he commanded two things:

First: that the blade be sharpened—that is, honed.

Second: that it be concealed from livestock while it is being sharpened, and at other times as well. Thus, when you come to slaughter it, do not show it the knife; rather, keep it concealed from it until the moment of slaughter. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, explicitly stated this. This is the apparent meaning of the hadith: “and that it be concealed”—meaning, the blade—from livestock, because they know their Lord, glorify Him with His praise, and know death. This is why they flee. Indeed, some camels, when they see a camel