Status of stunning animals before slaughter

At the onset, one should remember that animals are the creation of Allah Ta’ala and should be treated kindly. It is incorrect to put an animal through any form of difficulty or pain, particularly when it can be avoided. The Hadith states that when you slaughter, then slaughter in a good manner; any one of you should sharpen his knife and give comfort to his sacrifice. Causing any form of difficulty (which is void of benefit) to the animal, is regarded as Makrooh according to the Fuqaha. There is absolutely no benefit in stunning the animal except that it causes undue pain and suffering to the animal, hence, the act of stunning the animal is regarded as Makrooh.

If one raises the objection that gaining control of the animal is a difficult task and stunning eases the entire process of slaughter, then we would respond by saying that animals have always been slaughtered from time immemorial. How did the people of the past gain control over their animals and slaughter without stunning the animals? The same system implemented by them in the past can be implemented by us today as well. The animal should be caught in a good manner, tied down and slaughtered. There are many that still follow this procedure today.

In conclusion, we do not approve of stunning animals. Undoubtedly, the act of stunning the animal is Makrooh according to the jurists, as undue pain is caused to the animal as mentioned above. However, if the animal dies because of stunning (before being slaughtered in accordance to Shariah), then the animal is considered as carrion, which is Haraam.