Is it permissible to cut off the head of an animal directly?

Question

A question regarding the permissibility of directly cutting off the head of an animal during slaughter and whether this method is considered valid.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

- If the four major veins are cut in a manner that is not in accordance with Islamic law, such as if someone strikes them with a tool causing them to sever, or if a wolf bites them, and the animal remains alive, then if none of the veins remain at all, it is not permissible to eat the animal. The same applies if none of the throat remains. Additionally, if some of the veins remain attached to the head or connected to the body, it is more cautious to consider it impermissible. However, if the severed part is not the throat and the animal is still alive, it is permissible to eat it after proper slaughter.

- It is prohibited - with strong caution - to intentionally sever the head of the animal before its soul departs, even if it is deemed permissible at that moment. This applies to both birds and other animals. However, if it happens accidentally or due to the sharpness of the knife, it is permissible. The same applies to breaking the neck or injuring the spinal cord of the animal intentionally before it dies; the spinal cord is the white thread extending from the neck to the tail.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 3, Slaughter and Sacrifice, Articles 850 + 851

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

- If a wolf, for example, eats the throat of the animal or it is struck by a tool and it is still alive: if it eats all four major veins completely such that none remains, it is not permissible to eat it. The same applies if it eats from above or below and some of the veins remain attached to the head or connected to the body, it is more cautious to consider it impermissible. Likewise, if it eats some completely and leaves some, such as if it completely eats the throat and leaves the rest, cutting the remaining parts under the conditions raises doubts about the validity of the slaughter, so caution is advised.

- As for severing the head before the soul departs, it is more cautious to avoid it, and there is a valid reason for its prohibition. However, the slaughter is not invalidated by this action in stronger opinion, especially if done intentionally. In cases of forgetfulness or if the knife was already in motion, there is no prohibition or dislike regarding either eating or severing, without any doubt.

Source: Tahrir al-Wasilah, Slaughter, Articles 10 + 20

May you be successful in all good.