As for an animal that falls into a well or the like and whose throat cannot be reached, it should be wounded wherever possible—for example, by stabbing it in the thigh—as is done with game that cannot be captured. According to the majority of scholars, this makes it lawful to eat, unless another cause contributes to its death. For example, if its head is submerged in water, so that it dies from both the wound and drowning, it is not lawful to eat. Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

Regarding “sheep and cattle” and similar animals that are at the point of death: if someone comes upon them, may he slaughter any of them while certain that they are alive at the time of slaughter, even though some animals do not move a single limb when slaughtered? Does movement indicate the presence of life, and its absence indicate the absence of life, or not?

Most people ascertain that an animal is alive when they slaughter it and drain its blood, yet, because it does not move, they say, “It is dead,” and throw it away. Does thin, red blood flowing at the time of slaughter indicate that the animal has stable life, while a small amount of black, congealed blood is the blood of death, or not?

And what did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, mean when he said:

“Eat whatever has had its blood made to flow and Allah’s name mentioned over it”?

He answered:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Allah Most High says:

“Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, animals dedicated to other than Allah, animals killed by strangling, those killed by a violent blow, those killed by a fall