Q: If I slaughter an animal and find a dead fetus inside it, can it be eaten or not? If it can be eaten, does it have to be slaughtered according to the Shari`ah (Islamic law), or is slaughtering its mother enough? If an animal is hit on the belly, then slaughtered, and its fetus is found dead, can it be eaten or not?

A: If an animal is slaughtered and a live fetus is found inside it, but it dies by slaughtering, or if it is extracted alive and slaughtered, it will be permissible to eat, based on the Hadith reported from Abu Sa`id (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said about the fetus, The slaughtering of its mother serves its slaughtering. Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhy and Ibn Majah. In another narration, We said, "O, Messenger of Allah! (Part No. 22; Page No. 481) We might slaughter a camel, a cow or a sheep while there is a fetus in their wombs, shall we get rid of it or eat it?" He (peace be upon him) said, "You may eat it if you wish, for the slaughtering of its mother serves its slaughtering." Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. Thus, it is clear that if an animal is hit while pregnant, if the fetus dies by the strike before slaughtering its mother, it will be impermissible to eat. Otherwise, it is permissible to eat.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.