What should one say when slaughtering the udhiyah?

fatwa # 36733

Question:

Is there a specific du’aa’ that I can recite when slaughtering the udhiyah?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

The Sunnah for one who wants to slaughter the udhiyah is to say when slaughtering it:
Bismillaah, wa Allaahu akbar, Allaahumma haadha minka wa laka, haadha ‘anni (or if it is being offered on behalf of someone else, haadha ‘an [fulaan]), Allaahumma taqabbal min [fulaan] wa aali [fulaan].

(In the name of Allaah, Allaah is most great. O Allaah, this is from You and to You. This is on my behalf (or if it is being offered on behalf of someone else, This is on behalf of [So and so]). O Allaah, accept (this sacrifice) from [So and so] and the family of [So and so]) –here he should mention his name instead of [fulaan] or [So and so].
What is obligatory here is to say Bismillaah; the rest is mustahabb but is not obligatory.
Al-Bukhaari (5565) and Muslim (1966) narrated that Anas said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sacrificed two horned rams that were white speckled with black. He slaughtered them with his own hand, said Bismillaah and Allaahu akbar, and put his foot on their necks.

Muslim (1967) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered that a horned ram be brought to him so that he could sacrifice it. He said, “O ‘Aa’ishah, give me the knife.” Then he said, “Sharpen it on a stone.” So she did that, then he took it and took the ram, and he lay it down and prepared to slaughter it. He said, “In the name of Allaah, O Allaah accept (this sacrifice) from Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and the ummah of Muhammad,” then he sacrificed it.

Al-Tirmidhi (1521) narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: I was present with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the day of al-Adha at the prayer place. When he had finished his khutbah he came down from his minbar and a ram was brought which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) slaughtered with his own hand. He said, “In the name of Allaah, Allaah is Most Great. This is on behalf of myself and on behalf of those of my ummah who have not offered a sacrifice.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

In some reports the words “O Allaah, this is from You and to You” are added. See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1138, 1152.

Allaahumma minka (O Allaah, from You) means this sacrifice is a gift and provision that has reached me from You. Laka (to You) means, it is sincerely for You alone.

See al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 7/492.

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/36733

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How A Muslim Should Slaughter an Animal

A Muslim should take every care to slaughter an animal without subjecting it to unnecessary pain and torture. The following instructions are deduced from the teachings of the Noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Was Sallam)

1. The knife to be used for slaughter, should be very well sharpened so that it cuts the throat immediately, without causing much pain to the animal.;

2. The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animals;

3. The animal to be slaughtered is to be given food and water; it should not be slaughtered when it is hungry and thirsty;

4. It should not be brutally dragged along to the place of slaughter;

5. The animal should be slaughtered at an isolated place so that other animals may not see this sight;

6. It should be laid on the ground with ease, as it is abominable to use undue force;

7. Only three of its legs should be tied together;

8. As soon as the animal has been placed on the ground, one should hurry to slaughter it. Undue delay must be avoided;

9. The animal should not be slaughtered with such a force that its head is severed, or the knife reaches the spinal cord;

10. It is incorrect to slaughter the animal above the neck because it causes the animal too much pain and agony;

11. The animal should be left in a way as to freely toss its body in the process of bleeding;

12. After slaughtering, the head should not be cut off nor should the animal be skinned until the body is totally cold;

13. While slaughtering, a Muslim should say : ‘Bismillaahi Allaho Akbar’ (In the name of Allah, Who is the possessor of all greatness)