ANIMAL WELFARE IN HALAL SLAUGHTER (DHABIHA): BETWEEN FIQH IMPLEMENTATION AND ECONOMIC VALUE

Abstract

This study explores the intersection between Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) on halal slaughter and the principles of animal welfare, particularly in light of growing global ethical standards. While halal slaughter follows a deeply spiritual framework emphasizing mercy and compassion through requirements such as swift cutting with a sharp instrument, invocation of God's name, and minimizing suffering—international animal welfare norms, like the “Five Freedoms” set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), require humane treatment including pre-slaughter stunning. These differing frameworks have raised tensions, especially regarding the permissibility of stunning in halal contexts. 
This paper adopts a normative-empirical qualitative approach, drawing on interviews with halal industry actors, auditors, Islamic scholars, and regulatory authorities, supported by literature on fiqh, international halal standards, and animal welfare protocols. The findings reveal a conceptual and practical convergence between fiqh and animal welfare values, particularly when interpreted through the lens of maqashid al-shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). In countries like Malaysia and Australia, stunning is allowed under strict conditions without compromising the halal status, offering a model for harmonization. 
Furthermore, incorporating animal welfare enhances economic value: products certified as both halal and welfare-compliant enjoy higher market acceptance, especially in Europe and East Asia. This dual certification improves consumer trust, including among non-Muslim populations, and positions halal products as ethical commodities. Thus, rather than a compromise, animal welfare should be viewed as a complement to fiqh—a reflection of Islamic compassion and a strategic asset for global halal competitiveness.