Story Steppe Farmland & grasslands Mercy towards animals

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A man stood near his sheep, ready to carry out the sacrifice, when he began to sharpen his knife in front of the animal itself. The Prophet ﷺ, witnessing the scene, addressed him with firmness: did he wish to bring about the death of the beast twice over? Should he not have sharpened his blade before bringing the animal before him?

A hadith that transforms our understanding of sacrifice

This account is reported in Sahih Muslim, where it is established that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Truly, Allah has prescribed excellence (al-ihsân) in all things. When you kill, kill in the best way; when you slaughter, slaughter in the best way. Let each of you sharpen his blade and calm the animal he is slaughtering." These words leave no room for indifference: even in the most serious act there is, that of taking the life of a creature for the nourishment of humans, mercy must remain the rule.

It is reported moreover that the Prophet ﷺ forbade sharpening the knife before the animal's eyes, or slaughtering one beast in the presence of another still living, for fear of inflicting needless suffering upon it—that suffering of fear and anguish even before the act itself. According to certain commentators, this directive illustrates the universal scope of the concept of ihsân, moral excellence, which applies as much toward humans as toward animals, including those destined for slaughter.

A requirement woven throughout Islam

This care is not an isolated detail. It forms part of a broader set of recommendations regarding the treatment of livestock: offering them water before sacrifice, not mistreating them as they are led, avoiding causing them suffering through rough handling. Sacrifice, in Islamic tradition, is never presented as an act of cruelty or domination, but as an act governed by precise rules aimed at minimizing the animal's pain to the greatest extent possible.

• Sharpen the blade away from the animal's sight
• Do not slaughter one beast in the presence of another
• Act with speed and precision to cut short suffering
• Treat the animal with calm until the last instant

Thus, even in a context where the animal's death is inevitable, prophetic tradition refuses any form of carelessness or gratuitous harshness. The life of the creature, until its last breath, deserves respect.

A lesson in mercy for today

This hadith invites each person to reflect on their own relationship with animals, whether in a ritual context or in daily life. Mercy is not reserved for easy moments; it must especially be expressed where the animal is most vulnerable, most dependent on human kindness. Caring for its well-being, avoiding all unnecessary suffering, acting with gentleness and competence: this is what this teaching reminds us of, as valid today as ever for anyone who tends to animals, whether they are raised for livestock, kept on a farm, or simply share our daily lives.