and the utterance of bismi Allah (“In the name of Allah”); if he omits it deliberately, the slaughter is not lawful (1), though forgetfulness is excused.
It is disliked to slaughter with a dull instrument (2), to sharpen the blade while the animal watches, to break its neck, to skin it before its life has fully departed, or to turn it away from the qiblah.
Section
On Hunting
Hunting is permissible for one who does it for provision, but it is discouraged as mere play.
Game that is found dead is lawful provided that the hunter is someone qualified to slaughter, and that it was killed by a trained predatory animal or by a sharp implement functioning like a slaughtering tool. It is not lawful if the animal was killed by the force of the projectile itself—such as a pellet, a stick, a net, or a snare—or if a falcon or the like killed it by strangulation.
The following conditions apply:
- The weapon or animal must be dispatched intentionally; if a dog or other beast sets off on its own, the game is unlawful unless the hunter recalls it and it then pursues anew.
- Pronouncing bismi Allah when releasing the hunting animal or shooting the arrow; this requirement is not waived, whether through deliberate omission or forgetfulness.