An Agitated Camel

The first question of Fatwa no. 1989

Q 1: If an agitated camel wanted to attack and eat its owner, so he killed it with an arrow at a spot that was not designated for slaughtering, would it be permissible to eat it?

A 1: Mentioning the Name of Allah while slaughtering an animal is prescribed. Allah (Exalted be He) says:  So eat of that (meat) on which Allâh’s Name has been pronounced (while slaughtering the animal) and  Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allâh’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal) It is reported in the two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,  “If the killing tool causes blood to gush out and if Allah’s Name is mentioned, eat (of the slaughterer animal). Shaykh Al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, said, "Tasmiyah (saying, "Bismillah [In the Name of Allah]") when slaughtering an animal is Wajib (obligatory) according to the Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars)."

Therefore, if it is not possible to slaughter in the place that is specified for slaughtering, he is permitted to slaughter wherever he is able, such as in the thigh, and so on, as in the case of shooting the game which can't be reached. This is permissible according to the Jumhur. This is based on what was narrated in the two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Rafi‘ bin Khadij (may Allah be pleased with him) that  A camel ran away during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), so a man shot it with an arrow and killed it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Of these animals there are some which are as wild as wild beasts. Therefore, if anyone of them runs away like this, treat it in this way (shoot it with an arrow)." However, if he caught it alive, he should slaughter it in the specified place if possible, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning shooting game:  if you find it alive, then slaughter it.

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'

`Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan
`Abdul-Razzaq `Afify
`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz