Many people cannot bear to see the process of slaughtering sacrificial animals, especially during Eid al-Adha. However, a number of scientists have scientifically proven that sacrificial animals do not feel pain when slaughtered according to Islamic law. This research strengthens Islamic teachings which regulate slaughtering procedures with great care and kindness.
In a hadith narrated by Muslim, Rasulullah SAW explained that we must be kind to sacrificial animals, including sharpening knives to reduce pain. In the hadith it is mentioned,
عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ، وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذَّبْحَ، وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ، وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ. رواه مسلم
From Syaddad bin Aus RA said, Rasulullah SAW said, "Indeed, Allah makes it mandatory to do kind in everything. If you kill, then kill with Ihsan. If you slaughter, slaughter with Ihsan. You should sharpen your knives and please the animal you slaughter." (Narrated by Muslim)
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Professor Schultz and Doctor Hazim from Hanoi University, Germany, conducted sophisticated research to test this claim. They implanted a microchip called an electroencephalogram (EEG) on the surface of the cow's cerebellum, which functions to detect nerve activity and pain. Apart from that, they also installed an electrocardiograph (ECG) to record heart activity when blood was released due to slaughter.
The results showed that cows slaughtered according to Islamic law did not experience significant changes in the EEG graph. The decrease in brain activity was noted to occur gradually, similar to sleep, until the cow completely lost consciousness. Heart activity also showed a similar response, indicating that the animals did not feel intense pain.
This discovery provides additional confidence for Muslims that the slaughtering procedures taught in Islam not only fulfill spiritual aspects but also comply with the principles of animal welfare. This method proves that Islam really pays attention to animal welfare, even in the context of sacrificial worship.
With this scientific evidence, it is hoped that more people will understand that the slaughter of sacrificial animals according to Islamic law is carried out in the most humane way and with minimal pain. This can also reduce feelings of shame for those who have been worried about the welfare of sacrificial animals.