Mālik; this was also the position of Ibn al-Qāsim, Asbagh, and Īsā ibn Dīnār. Differing positions are reported from Ashhab, Ibn Abd al-Hakam, his son Muhammad, and Sahnūn. Ibn Wahb said: “There is nothing wrong with it.” If part of the laryngeal prominence is severed, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Hakam said, reasoning by analogy from the report prohibiting it: “If the portion remaining attached to the head forms a complete circle, like a ring, the animal may be eaten; otherwise, it may not.”
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If someone lifts his hand away before completing the ritual slaughter and then resumes, Ibn Habīb said: “The slaughtered animal may be eaten if he resumes promptly.” Differing positions are reported from Sahnūn: on one occasion he said that it may not be eaten even if the slaughterer resumes promptly, while on another he regarded it as disliked. Sahnūn’s position has been interpreted to mean that if the slaughterer lifts his hand as if to check, then resumes promptly, the animal may be eaten; but if he lifts his hand believing that he has completed the slaughter, it may not be eaten, even if he resumes promptly. Some scholars of Kairouan held the reverse, drawing an analogy with someone who gives the concluding salutation after two units of prayer, either while in doubt or while certain that he has completed the prayer. Abū al-Hasan al-Qābisī considered this a sound view.
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Among the sunnah practices of slaughter are invoking Allah’s name; not severing the animal’s spinal cord until it has died; turning it towards the direction of prayer and laying it on its left side; and treating it gently throughout. The ruling concerning someone who omits any of these practices will be discussed in its proper place, Allah willing. The preferred practice is to slaughter with iron. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:
“And We sent down iron, wherein is great might and benefits for mankind.” [al-Hadīd: 25]
If iron is unavailable, whatever instrument is used suffices, provided it cuts and causes the blood to flow, except for teeth and nails. There is disagreement concerning slaughtering with these: one opinion permits it, while another prohibits it. Ibn Habīb distinguished between their remaining attached and their being detached. Another opinion permits the use of a nail but not a tooth. The first two opinions are both related from Mālik. Success comes from Allah, and Allah, Glorified and Exalted, knows best.