This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Farooq Rafi Sahib's book Qurbani, Aqiqah, and Ashra Zil-Hijjah.
At the time of slaughter, it is Sunnah and recommended to face the Qibla and recite the following supplication. Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم slaughtered two castrated rams on the day of Eid al-Adha, then when he faced the Qibla, he said these words:
إني وجهت وجهي للذي فطر السموات والأرض على ملة إبراهيم حنيفا وما أنا من المشركين، إن صلاتي ونسكي ومحياي ومماتي لله رب العالمين، لا شريك له وبذلك أمرت وأنا من المسلمين، اللهم منك ولك عن محمد وأمته بسم الله والله أكبر، ثم ذبح
"I have turned my face sincerely towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not among the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. I have been commanded to do this, and I am among the obedient. O Allah! This sacrifice is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah. In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest." Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم performed the slaughter.
Reference: Hasan: Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab al-Dahaya, Bab Ma Yustahab min al-Dahaya: 2795. Sunan Ibn Majah, Abwab al-Adahi, Bab Adahi Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم: 3121. Mustadrak Hakim: 167/1. Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 2899
Benefits:
① It is a recommended act to face the Qibla while slaughtering an animal. Ibn Qudamah Hanbali, may Allah have mercy on him, says: It is a recommended act to face the Qibla during slaughter, but if at the time of slaughter only "Bismillah" is said and the animal is not faced towards the Qibla, then this is abandoning a preferable act. Qasim bin Muhammad, Nakha'i, Thawri, Shafi'i, and Ibn Mundhir hold the same view. The prevalent issue is that facing the Qibla while slaughtering an animal is a recommended act, not obligatory, because there is no evidence for obligation.
Reference: Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah: 182/7.
② Qadi Shawkani, may Allah have mercy on him, states that it is a recommended act to face the Qibla while slaughtering an animal and to recite the mentioned verse and Dhikr.
Reference: Nail al-Awtar: 129/5.
Slaughtering a cow, sheep, and goat by laying them on their left side, except for the camel, is a Sunnah act.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took the knife:
وأخذ الكبش فأضجعه، ثم ذبحه
He laid the ram down and then slaughtered it.
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 1967. Sunan Abi Dawood: 2792. Sahih Ibn Hibban: 5915. Sunan Bayhaqi: 286/9.
Benefits:
Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
و فيه استحباب إضجاع الغنم فى الذبح، وأنها لا تذبح قائمة ولا باركة، بل مضجعة لأنه أرفق بها، و بهذا جاءت الأحاديث و أجمع المسلمون عليه، واتفق العلماء و عمل المسلمين على أن إضجاعها يكون على جانبها الأيسر لأنه أسهل على الذابح فى أخذ السكين باليمين وإمساك رأسها باليسار
"This hadith is evidence that it is recommended to lay the sheep or goat down at the time of slaughter, and the sheep or goat should not be slaughtered while standing or sitting, rather it should be slaughtered while lying down, because this method of slaughter is more comfortable for the sheep and goat."
Several hadiths have been narrated with this meaning, and the consensus of the Muslims is also established on this. Furthermore, the scholars and the Muslims have consensus on this issue that the sheep and goat should be laid down on the left side at the time of slaughter because this method makes it easier for the one slaughtering to hold the knife with the right hand and hold the animal's head with the left hand.
Reference: Sharh al-Nawawi: 122/13. Nayl al-Awtar: 129/5.
Placing the foot on the side of the animal being slaughtered is a recommended act, and this practice helps in controlling the animal and slaughtering it properly.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates:
ضحى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بكبشين أملحين، فرأيته واضعا قدمه على صفاحهما
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) slaughtered two fat rams, and I saw that he (PBUH) placed his foot on their sides.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: Who slaughters the sacrifice himself: 5058. Sahih Muslim, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: The recommendation of the excellence of the sacrifice: 1966. Sunan Nasa'i, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: Placing the foot on the side of the sacrifice: 4420. Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: The sacrifices of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): 3120.
Benefits:
It is a Sunnah act to place a foot on the side of the sheep or goat while slaughtering it.
Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, explains that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did this so that the animal could be firmly controlled, and when turning the knife, the head of the slaughtered animal would not move excessively. The flapping of the slaughtered animal would not prevent complete slaughter, and the person performing the slaughter would not experience any difficulty.
Reference: Sharh al-Nawawi: 121/13.
