From 'Abdul'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Baz to my dear respected brother, Assalamu 'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
I read your message dated 24/1/1982 asking me to write on the issue of transporting animals from your country, Australia, to the Middle East. You mentioned the bad shipping conditions and the conditions on the ships that are used to transport animals, which results in overcrowding, etc.
and do good. Truly, Allâh loves AlMuhsinûn (the gooddoers).
"Verily, Allah has enjoined Ihsan (perfection and excellence) in all things. So when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters."
1. Offering water to an animal that is to be slaughtered, acting upon the abovementioned Hadith: "Verily, Allah has enjoined Ihsan in all things."
that cannot be controlled, it is permissible to fire an arrow or the like at them after mentioning Allah's Name. The implement should be one that can cause blood to flow out, but is not a bone or a nail. When the arrow has killed the animal, it becomes permissible to eat because killing it this way comes under the same ruling as Shar'y (Islamically lawful) slaughtering of an animal that is possible to slaughter, as long as the death did not result from other than the arrow or some cause along with it.
I gave you brief information following your request and I have not discussed it in detail to include all what has been authentically reported on the subject of treating animals, with their different types. Islam is the Din (religion) of mercy, the Shari'ah of kindness, the comprehensive way of life, and the way leading to Allah and the abode of His Honor. It is, therefore, obligatory that it should be invited to, referred to for judgment, efforts exerted to propagate it among those who do not know about it, and the general Muslims be informed of the rulings they do not know and be reminded of its objectives, for the Sake of Allah. The objectives of the Islamic Shari'ah are very fair and wise and there is no prohibition against anything beneficial from animals, unlike the beliefs of the Buddhists. There is also no permissibility of taking anything harmful from animals, unlike those who eat impurities, such as pigs, predatory animals, and those having the same ruling as them. There is no injustice; no breach of the sanctity of anything declared inviolable, whether it is soul, property, or honor. We must, therefore, show gratitude to Allah for His Bounties, the most valuable of which is Islam, and supplicate to Him to support His Din, keep His Word lofty, and make us not objects of Fitnah (trial) for disbelieving people due to our negligence. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad who clearly conveyed His Message, and upon his family, Companions, and those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment!
Assalamu 'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)