What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes related to the slaughtering of an animal?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
1-The animal should not be terrified or frightened before it is slaughtered.
2-An animal should not be slaughtered in front of other animals.
3-It is recommended to offer water to the animal before it is slaughtered.
4-The knife must be sharpened before the slaughter to ensure that the esophagus, trachea, and jugular veins are severed as quickly and cleanly as possible. This is based on the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: "Verily, Allah has prescribed Ihsan (excellence/proficiency) in all things. So, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare the animal unnecessary suffering." [Narrated by Muslim].
5-One must not begin skinning or butchering the animal until its death has been fully confirmed.
6-Cows and Sheep: It is best to slaughter them while they are lying on their left side, facing the Qiblah. The right hind leg should be left untied so the animal can move it, which helps it remain more comfortable during its final moments. Unlike other livestock, it is preferred to perform Nahr (slaughtering by a swift stab at the base of the neck) while the camel is standing, with its left knee tied. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
Is it obligatory to have an intention (niyyah) for every prayer?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is obligatory for the worshiper to have a specific intention (Niyyah) for every prayer, meaning they must consciously intend the act of worship they are performing. The intention is a pillar (Rukn) of the prayer, and the prayer is not valid without it. It is not a requirement to utter the intention verbally; rather, doing so is considered a recommended Sunnah. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
When does the time for the Fajr prayer begin?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The time for the Fajr prayer begins once the Mu’adhin starts the second Adhan (Al-Adhan al-Thani), and not after the first Adhan. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
What is the ruling on sacrificing a castrated animal or one with a missing tail?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is permissible to sacrifice a castrated sheep; as it has been established that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed:
"...two large, fat, horned, white-and-black, castrated rams (Mawju'ayn—meaning having crushed testicles)." [Narrated by Ibn Majah in his Sunan].
It is not permissible to sacrifice an animal that is missing its tail, rump, or udder due to being cut off. This is in contrast to an animal that was naturally born without a tail, rump, or udder; such an animal is valid for sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
