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 washing the private part after urinating (Istinjaa`) a condition, and is it done with water and soap, or with water only?
Istinjaa` is obligatory for removing impurity, and it can be done with toilet paper, or a stone, or water. It is preferable to do Istinjaa` first with paper, or stone, or the like, then to wash the private part with water until making sure that the impurity has been removed. Using soap is not a condition, but there is no harm in doing so provided that it is washed off with water. It is also permissible to use either water, or paper if impurity is removed by any.
If the bleeding ceases after 40 days following childbirth, but then returns intermittently during two days of fasting, what is the ruling?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Whenever the post-natal bleeding (Nifas) ceases and the woman is certain it will not return, she has become pure; therefore, she must perform the ritual bath (Ghusl) and resume praying and fasting. However, if the blood returns within fifteen days of its cessation and before sixty days have passed since the delivery, the ruling of Nifas applies once again. Consequently, any fasting or prayer performed during that interval of purity is rendered invalid; she must make up for the missed fasts of those days, but she is not required to make up for the prayers. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
Is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face while performing Umrah (minor Hajj)?
The woman while in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) is obligated to uncover her face and hands, but at the same time permitted to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.
