Method of Slaughtering an Animal

A Muslim should take every care to slaughter an animal without subjecting it to unnecessary pain and torture.This was the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The following are pertinent points to be kept in mind.

The knife to be used for slaughter, should be well sharpened so that it slits the throat immediately, without causing undue pain to the animal.
The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animals.
The animal to be slaughtered should be given food and water; it should not be slaughtered when it is hungry and thirsty.
It should not be brutally dragged along to the place of slaughter.
The animal should be slaughtered at an isolated place so that other animals cannot witness the slaughter.
It should be laid on the ground with ease, as it is abominable to use undue force.
Only three of its legs should be tied together.
As soon as the animal has been placed on the ground, one should hurry to slaughter it. Undue delay must be avoided.
The animal should not be slaughtered with such a force that its head is severed, or the knife reaches the spinal cord.
It is incorrect to slaughter the animal above the neck because it causes the animal too much pain and agony.
The animal should be left in a way as to freely toss its body in the process of bleeding.
After slaughtering, the head should not be cut off nor should the animal be skinned until the body is totally cold.
While slaughtering, a Muslim should say : ‘Bismillaahi Allaho Akbar’ (In the name of Allah, Who is the possessor of all greatness).
It is more virtuous to slaughter the animal with one's own hands. If one is unable to slaughter, it is advisable that one witnesse the sacrifice. It is not necessary to make the niyyah (intention) of Qurbani verbally, however it is necessary to say Bismillahi Allahu Akbar when slaughtering.
The Qurbani animal should be placed on it’s left side facing the Qiblah and the following dua should be recited before slaughtering the animal: