Five mistakes to avoid when sacrificing an animal for Eid

A Message from Dr. Ingrid Mattson, ISNA President

It is important that we strive to fulfill our religious duties in the best way possible. Unfortunately, many Muslims make serious mistakes when sacrificing their animals on Eid. Mostly this is due to being inexperienced, nervous or unprepared. To help you perform the animal sacrifice in the proper way, I am listing a few of the most common mistakes people make when sacrificing their animals:

• DO NOT buy from a farm or supplier where the animals are mistreated.  Just as the Sunnah prohibits us from slaughtering an animal in anything other than a humane manner, we are prohibited from abusing animals while they are living. It might take time to identify a farm where animals are treated with compassion, but if you plan ahead, you can find a supplier who shares your principles.
• DO NOT treat the animal roughly or let it see the knife before you slaughter it.  Rather, give the animal a drink of water to quench its thirst and let it feel at peace.
• DO NOT slaughter your animal in front of other animals – this terrifies them and it is forbidden to inflict this kind of emotional pain on animals.
• DO NOT use a knife that is nicked, serated, dull or short.  All of this things will cause pain and suffering to the animal, which is prohibited.  When the jugular vein of an animal is opened with a razor-sharp knife in one cut, the animal will quickly bleed to death with little pain.
• DO NOT move the animal for the butchering process until you are certain that it has died.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “There is a reward for doing good to all living creatures.”  Let us make this sacrifice an occasion to earn God’s reward and to avoid the punishment of those who mistreat animals.