How sound is the Prophetic prohibition of cutting, severing, piercing, and repeatedly (sawing) in slaughter?
The hadith mentioned in "Musnad al-Rabi' ibn Habib" concerning the prohibition of slaughtering in four ways: Al-Khazl, Al-Wakhz, Al-Nakh'a, and Al-Tardad, is an unauthentic hadith due to the unknown identity of its narrator, Al-Rabi' ibn Habib, and his shaykh, Abu Ubaydah.
As for the meanings of these terms: Al-Khazl is inserting the iron beneath the skin and flesh then slaughtering; Al-Wakhz is stabbing the neck after slaughter; Al-Nakh'a is breaking the neck; and Al-Tardad is slaughtering with a dull knife. These meanings are correct in principle, because the pure Sharia forbids tormenting the slaughtered animal and commands excellence in slaughter, by cutting what must be cut of the jugular veins, the windpipe, and the esophagus, and by letting the blood flow, and by slaughtering with a sharp knife, due to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "Whatever causes blood to flow and the Name of Allah is mentioned on it, eat." And his saying: "Indeed, Allah has prescribed excellence in everything. So, when you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, slaughter well. And let each one of you sharpen his blade and relieve his slaughtered animal." These meanings are correct in light of the Sharia's proofs, not due to the authenticity of this false hadith.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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