Contributed by Ejaz Siddiqui, Oklahoma, USA

Al Shaddad Bin Aous has quoted this tradition of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) "God calls for mercy in everything, so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter, sharpen your blade to relieve its pain".

Many allegations have been made that Islamic slaughter or 'dhabiha halal' is not humane to animals. Halal slaughter is "the humane method" providing hygienic meat to the consumer. However, Professor Schultz and his colleague Dr. Hazim of the Hanover University, Germany, proved through an experiment, using an electroencephalograph (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) that *Islamic slaughter is THE humane method of slaughter* and captive bolt stunning, practiced by the Western method, causes severe pain to the animal. The results surprised many.

 Experimental Details:

 1. Several electrodes were surgically implanted at various points of the skull of all animals, touching the surface of the brain.

 2. The animals were allowed to recover for several weeks.

 3. Some animals were slaughtered by making a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck cutting the jugular veins and carotid arteries of both sides; as also the trachea and esophagus-Halal Method.

  4. Some animals were stunned using a captive bolt pistol humane slaughter by the Western method.

 5. During the experiment, EEG and ECG were recorded on all animals to record the condition of the brain and heart during the course of slaughter and stunning.

 Results and Discussion:

A - Halal Method

 1. The first three seconds from the time of Islamic slaughter as recorded on the EEG did not show any change from the graph before slaughter, thus indicating that the animal did not feel any pain during or immediately after the incision.

 2. For the following 3 seconds, the EEG recorded a condition of deep sleep - unconsciousness. This is due to a large quantity of blood gushing out from the body.

 3. After the above-mentioned 6 seconds, the EEG recorded zero level, showing no feeling of pain at all.

 4. As the brain message (EEG) dropped to zero level, the heart was still pounding and the body convulsing vigorously (a reflex action of the spinal cord) driving maximum blood from the body: resulting in hygienic meat for the consumer.

B - Western method by C.B.P. Stunning

 1. The animals were apparently unconscious soon after stunning.

 2. EEG showed severe pain immediately after stunning.

  3. The hearts of the animal stunned by C.B.P. stopped beating earlier as compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the Halal method resulting in the retention of more blood in the meat. This in turn is unhygienic for the consumer.

 (Special thanks to Muslim Students Organization - University of Miami)