great anxiety lest he miss the game. So he quickly takes up his pellet gun or swiftly releases the hunting animal, becoming distracted and heedless. He is therefore more liable to forget than the slaughterer, who comes calmly, lays the animal down—or suspends it if it is a camel—and then slaughters it. This makes forgetfulness less likely in his case, unlike the hunter. Nevertheless, the author, may Allah have mercy on him, did not excuse him.

In fact, he was correct not to excuse him, because the verse is general:

“And do not eat of that over which the name of Allah has not been mentioned.” [al-An‘am 6:121]

And because the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “If you release your arrow and mention Allah’s Name over it, then eat.” (1) Thus, just as game is not lawful when the hunting animal sets off on its own, it is likewise not lawful when Allah’s Name is not mentioned.

His statement, “It is recommended to say, along with it, ‘Allah is Most Great,’ as in ritual slaughter,” means that mentioning Allah’s Name is obligatory, whereas saying “Allah is Most Great” is recommended. The evidence is the authentic hadith of Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, wished to slaughter his sacrificial animal, he mentioned Allah’s Name and proclaimed His greatness. (2)

But should he say, “O Allah, accept it from me”? No, because this is not an act of sacrificial worship. Rather, he should say, “In the name of Allah; Allah is Most Great.”

Issue: If he invokes blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the scholars have said that this is not recommended, because it is not appropriate here, just as it is not appropriate in ritual slaughter.

Do we stipulate for hunting what we stipulated for ritual slaughter—that the name of other than Allah must not be mentioned? Yes, this is stipulated, and it constitutes a fifth condition.

Is it also stipulated that he must not hunt it for other than Allah? Yes; that is, if he hunts