Q: What is the ruling on automated slaughtering? The slaughtering machines slaughter tens of chickens at the same time, with one pronouncement of Basmalah (saying, “Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]”). Also, if a person slaughters many chickens manually, is it sufficient for them to say the Basmalah once or is it obligatory on them to do so each time they slaughter? May Allah guide you to success!

A: First: It is permissible to slaughter using these modern machines, on the condition that they are sharp and cut the animals’ throats and gullets. Second: If the machine is slaughtering a number of chickens at the same time, it is permissible for the person who runs the machine to say Basmalah once while it is doing this, with the intention of slaughtering. (Part No. 22; Page No. 464) This is provided that the person who is doing the slaughtering and running the machine is a Muslim or one of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). Third: If someone is slaughtering manually, it is obligatory on them to say Basmalah every time they slaughter a chicken, because each one is an independent sacrifice. Fourth: It is obligatory that the slaughtering should be done at the correct part of the body, cutting the throat and the two jugular veins, or one of them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.