Short answer
At the moment of slaughter say "Bismillahi Allahu akbar" (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest). Saying Allah's name is required in the Hanafi school. Before laying it down or after the cut you may say "Allahumma taqabbal minni" (O Allah, accept it from me), or from the people it is for. Many also recite "Inni wajjahtu..." before laying the animal down.
The tasmiyah (Bismillah) at the moment of slaughter is a condition: if left on purpose the meat is haram, if forgotten it is halal. Adding Allahu akbar is sunnah. The dua of acceptance is said before laying the animal down or after the slaughter, not joined to the tasmiyah.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The tasmiyah is a stressed sunnah; meat slaughtered without it, even on purpose, is still halal though the omission is disliked.
Explanation
Anas said the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two rams with his own hand, saying the name of Allah and the takbir. A'ishah reported that he said at his sacrifice: "In the name of Allah. O Allah, accept from Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and the ummah of Muhammad."
- Before laying it down (optional): Inni wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fataras samawati wal arda hanifan wa ma ana minal mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi rabbil alamin, la sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimin. A hadith in Abu Dawud reports it at the sacrifice; its chain is graded weak, but the words are verses of the Quran, so reciting them is good.
- At the cut: Bismillahi Allahu akbar.
- Before laying it down, or after the cut: Allahumma taqabbal minni (or min followed by the names). The Prophet asked Allah to accept his sacrifice from his family and his ummah; Hanafi texts say not to join this dua to the Bismillah at the cut.
- Who says it: the person who slaughters. If two hold the knife, both say it.
- One Bismillah per animal: each animal needs its own.
- Language: Bismillah in any language counts, but the Arabic is the Sunnah.
- Do not add another name to Allah's in the tasmiyah, such as joining salawat to it.
For the general rule on Bismillah in slaughter, see saying bismillah when slaughtering, and on names, names in qurbani.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-An'aam 6:121
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِسْقٌۭ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِهِمْ لِيُجَٰدِلُوكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٢١﴾
And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].
Saying Allah's name is required at slaughter.
Quran, Surah Al-An'aam 6:162
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ﴿١٦٢﴾
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Part of the words often recited before the sacrifice.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5565
Sahih... ذبحهما بيده وسمى وكبر ووضع رجله على صفاحهما ...
"He slaughtered them with his own hand, said the name of Allah and the takbir, and placed his foot on their sides."
Bismillah and Allahu akbar at the sacrifice.
Sahih Muslim 1967
Sahih... باسم الله اللهم تقبل من محمد وآل محمد ومن أمة محمد ...
"In the name of Allah. O Allah, accept from Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and the ummah of Muhammad."
The dua of acceptance at the sacrifice.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Dhaba'ih. Deliberately leaving the tasmiyah makes the meat haram; forgetting it is excused.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Dhaba'ih, on what is said at slaughter. The dua of acceptance is said before laying the animal down or after slaughter, not joined with the tasmiyah.
- Minhaj al-Talibin, Kitab al-Sayd wal-Dhaba'ih. The Shafi'i view that the tasmiyah is sunnah.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.