Dhabiha

Dhabiha, often transliterated zabihah, is the Islamic method of slaughter used to make meat permissible (halal) for Muslims. The term derives from Arabic ذبيحة, meaning “slaughter” or “sacrifice.” In dhabiha, an animal that is lawful for consumption is slaughtered with a single, swift cut to the throat using a sharp knife, with the aim of severing the trachea, esophagus, and the major blood vessels to ensure rapid blood loss and humane handling. The animal must be healthy at the time of slaughter.

Before the cut, the slaughterer typically must pronounce the name of God, saying “Bismillah” (In the name of God), and in many traditions, “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest). The act is performed by a sane, adult Muslim competent in the practice; in some contexts, other persons who meet halal certification criteria may perform it.

There is variation in practice among schools and jurisdictions regarding pre-slaughter stunning. Some halal authorities permit reversible (non-fatal) stunning before the dhabiha cut, while others prohibit pre-slaughter stunning, arguing that the animal should be slaughtered while alive and conscious. Modern markets often rely on halal certification to verify compliance with local laws and with the standards of specific certifiers.

Dhabiha is a central concept in halal dietary law and halal meat production, and interpretation can differ across communities, countries, and certification bodies.