What are the recommended practices concerning the slaughtering tool and the animal being slaughtered?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
It is sunnah to use a sharp knife for slaughter, based on the principle that God has decreed excellence in all matters, including the method of killing and slaughtering. The knife must be sharpened before the act, and the animal should be rested after the cut. It is disliked to sharpen the knife in sight of the animal; 'Umar once struck a man for placing his foot on a sheep while sharpening his knife until the sheep was freed.
Supporting text
It is disliked to slaughter one sheep while another is watching it. It is recommended that the slaughterer face the Qibla during the act. Ibn 'Umar and others recommended this, and Ibn 'Umar and Ibn Sirin disliked eating meat slaughtered without facing the Qibla, though the majority opinion permits it, as the meat of the People of the Book, who slaughter without this orientation, is lawful.