How to slaughter a Qurbani animal

1. A Muslim should take every care to slaughter an animal without subjecting it to unnecessary pain and torture. This was the instruction of Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. The following are pertinent points to be kept in mind.
2. The knife to be used for slaughter should be well sharpened so that it slits the throat immediately, without causing undue pain to the animal.
3. The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animals.
4. The animal to be slaughtered should be given food and water; it should not be slaughtered when it is hungry and thirsty
5. It should not be brutally dragged along to the place of slaughter.
6. The animal should be slaughtered at an isolated place so that other animals cannot witness the slaughter.
7. It should be laid on the ground with ease, as it is abominable to use undue force.
8. As soon as the animal has been placed on the ground, one should hasten in slaughtering it. Undue delay must be avoided.
9. The animal should not be slaughtered with such a force that its head is severed, or the knife reaches the spinal cord.
10. It is incorrect to slaughter the animal above the neck because it causes the animal too much pain and agony.
11. The animal should be left after slaughtering in such a way as to freely kick in its death throes.
12. After slaughtering, the head should not be cut off nor should the animal be skinned until all movements has completely stopped.
13. While slaughtering, a Muslim should say: ‘Bismillah Allahu Akbar’ (In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest).
14. It is more virtuous to slaughter the animal with one’s own hands. If one is unable to slaughter, it is advisable that one witnesses the sacrifice. It is not necessary to make the niyyah (intention) of Qurbani verbally, however it is necessary to say Bismillah Allahu Akbar when slaughtering.

Duas to recite for Qurbani

Animal Position

The Qurbani animal should be placed on it’s left side facing the Qiblah and the following dua should be recited before slaughtering the animal:

إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

“I have set my direction firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens end the earth. And never shall I give partners to Allah. Verily, my worship and my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah Sustainer of the worlds. O Allah this sacrifice is from you and is for you.”

When slaughtering the animal recite:

 “In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest.”

اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي كَمَا تَقَبَّلْت مِنْ حَبِيْبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ خَلِيلِك إبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِمَا الصَّلَوةُ وَالسَّلآم

“O Allah accept from me this sacrifice like you have accepted from your beloved Muhammad and your friend Ibrahim. Peace be upon them.”