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It is not permissible to slaughter with a tooth or a claw.
[The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—explained the wisdom behind this: a tooth is bone, and a claw is excluded because it imitates the unbelievers; therefore slaughtering with either is forbidden.] -
From this reasoning it is understood that no bone at all may be used for slaughter, and this is the correct view, related from Imām Aḥmad. The well-known position within the schools restricts the prohibition to the tooth alone.
From this one also learns the unlawfulness of resembling, imitating, or following the unbelievers in any of their practices. As for the sciences and the crafts, they are not included here, for they are a common human heritage; ideally, we should not allow others to outstrip us in them.
Chapter on Udhiyah (Sacrificial Animals)
Udhiyah is the plural of uḍḥiyah, with the hamzah pronounced with ḍammah, the ḍād quiescent, the ḥāʾ with kasrah, followed by a yāʾ and then a tāʾ. It is derived from the time of day in which the sacrifice was ordained.
In the technical sense it refers to what is slaughtered during the Days of Sacrifice on account of the Eid, as an act of devotion to Allah.
Its legitimacy rests on the Quran, the Sunnah, and consensus.
• Quran: “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice” (108:2). Some exegetes said this verse refers to the udhiyah offered after the Eid prayer.
• Sunnah: the report of Anas—its text and discussion will come later, if Allah wills.
• Consensus: the Muslims unanimously agree on the legislation of the udhiyah.
The wisdom behind it: Through the udhiyah one seeks closeness to Allah by the shedding of blood, for this is among the noblest acts of obedience and most beautiful forms of worship. Allah has coupled it with the prayer in several Quranic verses, including: “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds” (6:162), and His words: “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice” (108:2).
The udhiyah performed on that magnificent day—the Greater Day of Sacrifice—entails charity to the poor and ease for them. It is an act of gratitude to Allah for His unceasing favors: the preservation of life, intellect, and faith. It also follows the example of the Father of the Prophets, Abraham, peace be upon him, who offered his son as a sacrifice in obedience to Allah’s command. Allah ransomed him with a ram, and the practice has endured since the time of our forefather Abraham and was renewed by our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them both.