It is the custom among some tribes that when the animal is slaughtered and the name of Allah is mentioned along with everything required, they say that if the throat is not in the head, then this slaughtered animal is considered problematic and forbidden to eat.

The questioner : The citizen Abdul Aziz Khudr al-Qurashi from the city of Ta'if sent this message, and we hope to receive more messages from him in the future. It is well written. He says: It is the custom among some tribes that when they slaughter an animal and mention the name of Allah along with everything required, they say that if the throat is not in the head, then this slaughtered animal is considered problematic and forbidden to eat, and if the throat is returned, meaning separated from the head, it is permissible to eat it, even though the name of Allah was mentioned as in the Book and the Sunnah. Is this correct or an error? Please inform us, and may Allah reward you with good?

The Shaykh : Some scholars have said that the slaughter is not valid unless it is below the cartilage at the top of the neck, but this is not correct. The correct view is that it is permissible even if nothing of the windpipe is attached to the head.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) The important thing is that the blood flows, which is achieved by cutting the two jugular veins, which are the two thick vessels surrounding the windpipe. This is the most important requirement in slaughter.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Regarding what is cut from the neck, the perfection is to cut the two jugular veins, which are the two vessels we mentioned, the esophagus, which is the passage for food, and the windpipe, which is the passage for breath.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.