Sacrificial Meat Remains Halal Despite Dull Knife, Says Juleha Association

Yes, the animal dies quickly, but the second stab is actually not permitted. This could render the sacrificial meat haram. Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Halal Slaughterers Association (Juleha) has clarified a misconception regarding the use of dull knives, which are often mistakenly believed to automatically make sacrificial meat haram. Fredi Insan Nurfadli from Juleha Indonesia’s Dakwah Team told ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday that the public has often misinterpreted slaughter procedures, particularly when repeated cuts are made with a blunt blade. He explained that using a blunt blade does make the slaughterer sinful due to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, but this does not automatically render the meat haram. He highlighted that the most risky practice leading to haram meat is when butchers, in a hurry, stab the animal’s vital organs to hasten death. Typically, he added, impatient butchers will stab the heart or damage the brain shortly after the initial neck cut, rather than waiting for the animal to die naturally. Fredi added that the meat is deemed haram only if the animal’s death is caused by a second stab to another organ, rather than the initial neck incision. Therefore, Fredi urged community sacrifice committees to patiently wait for the animal to die naturally post-slaughter to ensure the meat remains halal.