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.
What is the ruling on omitting the prostration of recitation?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The prostration of recitation (Sajdat al-Tilawah) is a Sunnah for both the reader and the listener. There is no sin in omitting it, though doing so results in missing a great reward. Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Shaytan withdraws weeping, saying: "Woe to him! (and in the narration of Abu Kuraib: "Woe to me!") The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he prostrated, so Paradise is his; and I was commanded to prostrate and I refused, so the Fire is mine."'
Sheikh al-Islam Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: 'It is recommended to prostrate immediately after reciting or hearing a verse of prostration. If one delays it but the interval is short, he may still prostrate. However, if the interval is long, the opportunity is missed.' [Rawdat al-Talibin Vol.1/P.323].
Furthermore, the prostration of recitation becomes obligatory (Wajib) in congregational prayer if the Imam prostrates, out of the necessity of following him. And Allah the Exalted knows best.
Is it permissible to give to the poor from among the People of the Book from the Udhiyah?
Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
It is permissible to give to the poor among the People of the Book from a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ), just as it is permissible to give charity (ṣadaqah) to them. This opinion is a view (wajh) within the Shāfiʿī school, which was favored by al-Muḥibb al-Ṭabarī and Imam al-Nawawī. [See: Ḥāshiyat Ibn Qāsim al-ʿAbbādī ʿalā Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.9/P.365)]. And Allah Almighty knows best.
What is the ruling on performing dry ablution (tayammum) on a wall or stone?
One of the conditions for tayammum is that it be with pure, clean dust (soil). It is not valid to perform tayammum by striking stones, a wall, sand that has no dust (i.e., that does not produce dust), pebbles alone, or clay, as these are not from the earth or its same category. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
