What is the ruling on a sheep that is subjected to a blow that causes its liver to rupture, or its intestines to be severed, or its neck to be broken and its spinal cord to be severed, and what is the ruling on slaughtering it and eating its meat?

The majority of scholars hold that a slaughtered sheep that still shows signs of life is permissible to eat, citing the verse: "Forbidden to you are carrion, and blood... except that which you slaughter." They consider this exception to be connected and referring to "that which has been strangled, or beaten to death, or fallen from a height, or gored to death." In contrast, the Malikis view the exception as disconnected, or connected only on condition that the vital organs have not been penetrated. If its liver is shattered, or its intestines severed, or its spinal cord cut, then ritual slaughter is of no benefit. The preponderant view is that of the majority, but the Maliki view is more cautious.