CHICKEN SLAUGHTERED BY MACHINES

 

Mechanically slaughtered chicken

 

In Islam, for chicken (or any animal) to be considered **halal**, several conditions must be met. The issue of **mechanical slaughter** (automated slaughtering machines) is a topic of scholarly debate. Here are the key considerations:

 

 **Requirements for Halal Slaughter:**

 

1. **The slaughterer must be a Muslim** (or a person from the People of the Book—Jew or Christian in some opinions).

 

2. **The name of Allah (Bismillah) must be recited** at the time of slaughter.

 

3. **The throat, windpipe, and blood vessels must be cut** to ensure proper bleeding.

 

4. **The chicken must be alive at the time of slaughter.**

 

 **Mechanical Slaughter & Halal Status:**

 

- If the machine is **programmed to recite "Bismillah" (in the name of Allah) for each chicken**, and a Muslim oversees the process, some scholars consider it halal.

 

- If the machine **does not recite Allah's name for each slaughter**, or if there is no Muslim supervision, it may not be halal.

 

- Some scholars are **more strict** and require **manual slaughter by a Muslim**, while others accept mechanical slaughter if conditions are met.

 

 **Major Islamic Organizations' Views:**

 

- **JAKIM (Malaysia), MUI (Indonesia), and HMC (UK)** approve mechanical slaughter **if conditions are met** (Bismillah recited, Muslim oversight, proper cutting).

 

- **Some Middle Eastern scholars** prefer hand-slaughtered chicken due to stricter interpretations.

 

### **Conclusion:**

 

Mechanical slaughter **can be halal** if:

 

✔ The machine recites "Bismillah" for each chicken.

 

✔ A Muslim supervises the process.

 

✔ The cut is done correctly (throat, windpipe, blood vessels).

 

If these conditions are not met, the chicken may **not be halal**. Always **check certification (e.g., Halal logo from a trusted body)** when in doubt.