What specific utterance must accompany the slaughtering?
Chapter on the Description of Hajj
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is recommended to say 'Bismillah Wallahu Akbar' (In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). It is established that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and Ibn Umar said this upon slaughtering. It is also meritorious to recite the comprehensive supplication narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him, when slaughtering on Eid day: 'I have turned my face to Him Who created the heavens and the earth, a pure monotheist, and I am not among the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner, and by that I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. Bismillah Wallahu Akbar, Allahumma minka wa laka (O Allah, from You and for You), on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah.' This narration is recorded by Abu Dawud.
Supporting text
If one restricts the utterance only to the Tasmiyah (Bismillah) and directs the animal away from the Qibla, the act is sufficient (yujzi'u), but the better course of action is abandoned. This is the view held by Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Thawri, Al-Shafi'i, and Ibn al-Mundhir.