Animal sacrifice. Is the islamic method barbaric
The following is a summary of research done in Germany about the methods of animal slaughter and their merits. Please share this information with your friends, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Halal slaughter is the humane method providing hygienic meat to the consumer.
Al Shaddad Bin Aous (R.A) has quoted this tradition of Rasulullah (S A W): –
“Allah calls for mercy in everything, so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter. Sharpen your blade to relieve its pain.”
Many allegations have been made that Islamic slaughter is not humane to animals. However, Professor Schultz and his colleague Dr. Hazim of the Hanover University, Germany, proved through an experiment, using an Electroencephalograph (EEG) and Electro Cardiogram (ECG) that: –
- Islamic slaughter is the humane method of slaughter, and,
- Captive bolt stunning practised by the western method causes severe pain to the animal. The results surprised many.
Experimental Details
Several electrodes were surgically implanted at various points on the skull of the animals, touching the surface of the brain. The animals were allowed to recover for several weeks. Some animals were slaughtered by using a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on neck cutting the jugular veins and carotid arteries of both sides and also the trachea and oesophagus Halal method.
Some animals were stunned using a captive bolt pistol – ‘humane’ slaughter by the western method. During the experiment, EEG and ECG were used on all animals to record the condition of the brain and heart during the course of slaughter and stunning. Results and Discussion:
Halal method
The first three seconds from the time of Islamic slaughter as recorded on the EEG did not show any change from the graph before slaughter, thus indicating that the animal did not feel any pain during or immediately after the incision. For the following three seconds, the EEG recorded a condition of deep sleep – unconsciousness. This is due to a large quantity of blood gushing out from the body. After the above-mentioned 6 seconds, the EEG recorded zero level, showing no feeling of pain at all. As the brain message (EEG) dropped to zero level, the heart was still pounding and the body convulsing vigorously (a reflex action of the spinal cord) driving maximum blood from the body: resulting in hygienic meat for the consumer.
Western method by Captive Bolt
- The animals were apparently unconscious soon after stunning.
- EEG showed severe pain immediately after stunning.
- The hearts of the animal stunned by C.B.P. stopped beating as compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the Halal method resulting in the retention of blood in the meat. This in turn is unhygienic for the consumer.