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Sharpening the knife before slaughter and hastening to slaughter the udhiyah/qurbani

Is this Hadith authentic?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commanded that the knives be sharpened [before slaughtering the animal] and that it be concealed from the animals, and he said ‘When you slaughter the animal, then hasten in the slaughter [to cause the least amount of pain to the animal].’”

Answer

Imams Ibn Majah and Ahmad (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) with a weak chain.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3172, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2 pg. 108. Refer: Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1042)

However, the Hadith is well corroborated and suitable to quote. Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded the following supporting narration:

Sayyiduna Shaddad ibn Aws (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah Ta’ala has enjoined kindness towards everything. So when you kill, then kill in a good way and when you slaughter, then slaughter in a good way. You should sharpen your knife and allow the animal to rest [and cool down after slaughtering].’”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1955)

See another Hadith on showing mercy to animals here.

Also see Targhib, vol. 2 pgs. 156-161

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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