As for mentioning Allah’s Name while preparing it, that is of no benefit. The evidence for this is analogy: if a person sharpens his blade and mentions Allah’s Name while sharpening it, then slaughters with it after a long interval between the two actions, this does not suffice.
Likewise, if a man writes “In the name of Allah” on his knife or on his arrow, this does not suffice, for it is necessary to pronounce it. If he keeps a recording of the tasmiyah (mentioning Allah’s Name) and, at the time of slaughter or release, turns on the recorder, this does not suffice either, because a recording merely reproduces a sound; it does not originate one. The same applies to those who use a recording of the call to prayer: when the time for prayer enters, they place it before a loudspeaker. This is not valid.
His statement, “If he omits it, deliberately or forgetfully, it is not lawful,” means that if he omits the tasmiyah, whether forgetfully or deliberately, the game is not lawful. This is because Allah says:
“And do not eat of that over which the name of Allah has not been mentioned.” [al-An‘am 6:121]
And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “If you release your arrow and mention Allah’s Name over it.” Accordingly, if the hunter forgets to say, “In the name of Allah,” when releasing the arrow or the hunting animal, the game is not lawful and is deemed carrion.
We previously noted that, in the chapter on ritual slaughter, the author, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “If he omits it forgetfully, it is lawful.” In truth, however, there is no difference between the two chapters, as has preceded. The requirement to mention Allah’s Name applies to ritual slaughter just as it applies to hunting. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Eat whatever causes the blood to flow and over which Allah’s Name has been mentioned.” (1) Moreover, in forgetting to mention Allah’s Name, the hunter may have a greater excuse than the slaughterer: when he sees the game, he may become agitated and feel within himself