caught it; so also fish which has been thrown out by the sea or river on dry land or which has been left by the water having receded from it, 10 and which has therefore died before it is caught, provided it is not spoiled.
It should be further noted that, when an animal is slaughtered, it is necessary that the name of God should be invoked. The Holy Qur’ān lays down plainly: “And eat not of that on which Allāh’s name has not been mentioned, and that is surely a transgression” (6:121). Hence it is necessary that at the time of slaughtering an animal, the following words should be pronounced: Bismillāh Allāhu Akbar — In the name of Allāh, Allāh is the Greatest of all. This practice is traceable to the Holy Prophet.11 If the man who slaughters the animal forgets to pronounce these words, the flesh of the animal is allowed,12 but if he omits the words intentionally, there is a difference of opinion. Imām Shāfi‘ī allows it even in this case against the Hanafi view.13 In slaughtering an animal, any sharp instrument may be used which causes the blood to flow, and the flesh of an animal which was slaughtered by a maid with a stone was allowed.14 The food of the followers of the Book is expressly allowed in the Holy Qur’ān: “And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them” (5:5). A Muslim may therefore invite the followers of the Book to his own table and he may eat at their table. But Ḥadīth makes it further clear that the animal slaughtered by the followers of the Book (Ahl al-Kitāb) is allowed in this verse. Zuhrī adds the condition that, if the slaughterer is heard uttering a name other than that of God, the flesh is not to be eaten, but if he is not so heard then it is lawful for the Muslims to eat it.15 An animal slaughtered by an un-circumcised person is also allowed.16 As stated elsewhere, the words Ahl al-Kitāb are applicable to followers of all revealed religions, including the Magi, the Hindūs, etc. A certain food (cheese) prepared by the Māgi was allowed by the Holy Prophet, though he was told that in its preparation use had been made of what died of itself; and he only said: “Mention the name of Allāh over it.17 Dhabīḥat al-A‘rab — Animals slaughtered by desert Arabs — is the heading of one of Bukhārī’s
10 “Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food” (5:96), where “food” as distinguished from “game” is explained in ḥadīth (Bu. 72:11) as fish thrown out on dry land or found after the water has receded, provided it is not spoiled (Bu. 72:11. 12).
11 Bu. 72:16; Ah. III, pp. 115, 183. Ahmad speaks of both tasmiyah (saying bismillāh) and takbīr (saying Allāhu Akbar), while Bukhārī speaks only of mentioning the name of Allāh, which in fact includes both tasmiyah and takbīr.
12 Bu. 72:15.
13 H. II. p. 419.
14 Bu. 72:18.
15 Bu. 72:21.
16 Ibid.
17 Ah. I. p. 302.