The Forty Hadiths of al-Nawawi
On the authority of Abu Ya'la Shaddad Ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him,
from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said:
"Indeed, Allah has prescribed excellence (ihsan) in all things.
So, if you must kill, kill in a good manner;
and if you must slaughter, slaughter in a good manner.
Let each of you sharpen his blade and spare the animal he is slaughtering from suffering."
Narrated by Muslim.
This hadith indicates that excellence is a comprehensive virtue in Islam,
not limited to acts of worship or dealings with humans alone,
but rather encompassing all of a person's actions,
even in situations of severity,
such as in war or slaughter.
For Islam is a religion of mercy and justice;
it forbids cruelty and torture,
and commands gentleness in all circumstances.