In Islam, ritual slaughter (Arabic: الذَّبْحُ or ذكاة) means the slaughter of specific land animals, in which the throat, esophagus, and the two jugular veins are severed with a sharp object.

Linguistically, dhakah (ذكاة) means “goodness”. The term is also used for “sharpness” and “acuteness/intelligence”, which is why this term is also used for slaughtering, as sharp objects are used.

In relation to the slaughter, this includes the requirement that the slaughterer be a Muslim, Christian, or Jew.

“And the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you.” (Quran 5:5)

All other non-believers, such as the Rafidah (رافضة), Ahmadiyyah (أحمدية), Ja'fari (جعفرية), Twelver Imami (الإمامية), Qadiyaniyyah (القاديانية), Hindus, Buddhists (بوذية), and Atheists (ملحدة) – the animal slaughtered by them is forbidden (haram) in all cases.

The tool used for slaughter must be a sharp object, for the Messenger of Allah said:

“Whatever causes the blood to flow, and over which the Name of Allah has been mentioned, you may eat!”

If all four are severed, it is faultless according to all scholars; others also permit only a part of these four to be severed.

The name of Allah must be mentioned during the slaughter.

“And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned. Indeed, that is grave disobedience.” (Quran 6:121)