What is the tasmiyah and why does it matter?

Who has to say it?

The person doing the slaughtering, at the time of the cut. It cannot be delegated to someone standing nearby, played from a recording, or said once over a batch, according to the majority of scholars. This is the crux of the objection to mechanical slaughter.

What if it is forgotten?

Scholars differ. The Hanafi position, followed by most Muslims in Bradford, is that meat is not halal if the tasmiyah is deliberately omitted, but is permitted if it was genuinely forgotten. Other schools are stricter or more lenient. Certification removes the doubt: HMC inspectors are present to confirm it is said.

Does the slaughterman have to be Muslim?

Yes. Halal slaughter requires a sane, adult Muslim slaughterman who understands what he is doing. Meat slaughtered by people of the Book is discussed in classical texts, but no UK halal certifier accepts it, and HMC requires a Muslim slaughterman for every animal.

How does this apply to the meat at Ikhlas?

Every animal sold at Ikhlas Halal Butcher was slaughtered by hand by a Muslim slaughterman reciting the tasmiyah, under HMC supervision. That is what the HMC certificate at our Bradford counter certifies.

More on halal and HMC

• What is HMC?
• HMC vs HFA: what is the difference?
• Is stunned meat halal?
• What does the HMC stamp on meat mean?
• Is machine-slaughtered chicken halal?
• Does a halal sign mean the meat is halal?
• Where can I buy HMC halal meat in Bradford?
• Our HMC approval
• Halal meat, explained: farm to counter