Shooting down an animal

1. If the animal is shot with a firearm and dies before being slaughtered, then it will not be permissible to consume, even though the Tasmiyah was recited when firing the shot. The animal is considered as Haraam as the animal could have died due to the impact of the bullet and not due to the wound.

However, if a projectile with a sharp edge or point (such as an arrow) was used (whilst reciting the Tasmiyah) for hunting down the animal, and it is certain that the animal died because of the wound caused by the pointed edge of the arrow, then it will be permissible to consume the animal.

Although some bullets also have sharp points, we are generally not certain in this regard (whether the animal dies due to the wound or due to the impact of the bullet hitting against its internal organs); hence we should consider the animal as Haraam, as a precautionary measure.

2. In the second scenario, it will be Halaal to consume the animal, since the animal was slaughtered according to Shariah after being shot, whilst the animal was still alive.