Chapter: Implements Permitted for Slaughter

Any instrument that has a sharp edge, slices through flesh as iron does, and causes the blood to flow may be used for slaughter. The sole exceptions are a claw or a tooth, for using either of them amounts to choking the animal. This applies when the claw or tooth is still attached to the animal; if it has been detached, no valid slaughter is effected with it.

The jurists disagreed about bone. Some held that ritual slaughter can never be performed with bone under any circumstances, citing the explicit prohibition transmitted from the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him. Others said that using bone is disliked yet nonetheless valid. Still others maintained that there is no harm in using bone for slaughter so long as it cuts cleanly.