الرفق بالأضحية بين العبادة وجودة اللحم

“The sacrifice” is a great ritual established by the Sharia, a comprehensive approach that ensures mercy towards animals at every stage of dealing with them (Indeed, Allah has prescribed kindness in all things; if you kill, then be kind in the killing, and if you slaughter, then be kind in the slaughtering). Thus, kindness to animals is an act of worship, part of the ritual, and one of its objectives.

Science confirms what our lenient Sharia has brought; the animal that is subjected to stress before slaughter goes through a series of physiological changes that directly affect the characteristics of its meat, resulting in dark meat that is of lower quality and spoils quickly.

A number of incorrect practices in dealing with the sacrifice before slaughter have been observed, and their effects are not limited to the animal alone but extend to directly impact the quality of its outputs; the most notable of which are:

First: Unprepared transportation and failure to rest the animal before slaughter; this leads to severe stress due to poor ventilation, overcrowding, or prolonged transportation time, causing it to lose fluids and deplete glycogen stores in the muscles, resulting in dark meat that is less tender and prone to spoilage, and in some cases may lead to death, especially in extremely hot weather.

Second: Depriving the animal of water; this causes dehydration and an increase in the acidity of the meat, raising the likelihood of bacterial contamination and rapid spoilage of the meat.

Third: Random mixing of animals; this leads to fighting, injuries, and bruises, forcing slaughterhouses to discard parts of the carcass, negatively affecting meat quality and causing economic losses.

Fourth: Slaughtering in front of other animals; this increases fear and stress, which negatively impacts meat quality.

Fifth: Using dull knives; this leads to slow and painful slaughter for the animal, causing internal bleeding that affects meat quality.

To avoid these mistakes, proper practices before slaughter are not just a moral or legal obligation but a scientific and health necessity that directly affects meat quality, consumer safety, and animal health.

Among the most important of these practices are:

• Preparing transportation means: using well-ventilated vehicles to reduce stress and maintain the animal's safety.

• Providing continuous water: to maintain the stability of vital processes and improve meat quality and tenderness.

• Isolating incompatible animals: to reduce injuries and ensure the animal arrives in good health.

• Kind handling: preserves muscle tissues and prevents bruises and injuries.

• Resting the animal before slaughter: helps stabilize vital processes.

• Preventing slaughter in front of other animals: reduces fear and lowers stress hormones.

• Using a sharp knife: to ensure quick and painless slaughter and reduce internal bleeding.

• Examining the animal before slaughter: to ensure consumer safety and the quality of the final product.

The sacrifice before slaughter and incorrect practices:

Resting the sacrifice

Not resting it before slaughter reduces meat quality

Transporting the sacrifice

Unprepared transport leads to severe stress

Depriving water

Causes dehydration and raises the acidity of the meat

Random mixing

Leads to fighting among animals and injuries