Slitting a Cow’s Hide before Slaughtering It

Question

Question: If, at the time of slaughter, the skin of a cow’s throat is first slit open and the cow is then slaughtered from inside, what is the ruling on this slaughtered animal? Since in our country, India, the cow is prohibited, if this is not done, then on seeing the hide one may be seized and a court case may be brought, whereas if it is slit there is not much risk. Also, what is the ruling on slaughtering a cow for sacrifice in this way — will that sacrifice be accepted or not?

Answer

The slaughtered animal is lawful, but this act is makruh: in this method the animal is made to suffer more than necessary for one’s own purpose. Where there is a ban and a legal risk attached to slaughtering an animal, it is not wise to keep oneself exposed to that risk. The sacrificial animal will, in any case, be halal. The sha‘a’ir (symbols of the religion)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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