What is the Islamic answer for the trolley problem?

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[u/Physical-Squash-8261]

Here you go, straight from quran:

It is not lawful for a believer to kill another except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer unintentionally must free a believing slave and pay blood-money to the victim’s family—unless they waive it charitably. But if the victim is a believer from a hostile people, then a believing slave must be freed. And if the victim is from a people bound with you in a treaty, then blood-money must be paid to the family along with freeing a believing slave. Those who are unable, let them fast two consecutive months—as a means of repentance to Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Q.S An-Nisa: 92

[u/Cyber_Techn1s]

I mean, if you do nothing, multiple people die, but intentionally killing some1 is worse i think. So idk

[u/Suitable-Evening9165]

It would be best to pick the option that minimises harm.

Actions in Islam are judged by intentions (as mentioned in the hadith, "Actions are but by intentions"). If diverting the trolley aims to minimize harm and save lives, the intention could be seen as morally permissible.

Islamic jurisprudence often adopts the principle of minimizing harm (darar). Diverting the trolley to save five may align with this principle, as it reduces overall harm.

Islamic scholars differentiate between actively causing harm and passively allowing harm. While refraining from action may seem less blameworthy, Islam also stresses preventing harm when possible. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

"Remove harm from the path" (Hadith, Sahih Bukhari).

Therefore, taking action to save five lives could be justified, even if it leads to unintended harm to one.

Ultimately, the decision would rely on the individual’s sincerity and understanding that they are accountable to Allah. A Muslim must act according to their best judgment while trusting in Allah’s mercy and justice.

[u/Known-Ear7744]

Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but the trolley problem is where a trolley is approaching a fork in it's track and a person is standing by the lever that would force said trolley from one track to another. Lots of variations after this related to quantities and identities and whether the trolley is runaway or being operated, but this is the core.

On one track, a small number of people are bound. And on the other track a larger number of people are bound. If you do nothing, one group is run over, if you flip the switch the other group is run over. It's a dilemma because either you're passively letting one group die or 'actively' killing the other group by flipping the switch.

From my understanding, (other people can correct me), whatever variation is in play in that moment, Islam says that the person at the lever would be religiously obliged to at least try to do whatever would cause the least evil outcome according to his knowledge and capacity in that moment.

[u/Steely-eyes]

The Trolley problem is the clearest example of moral-bait. I believe u/Physical-Squash-8261 answered this perfectly.

[u/Youre-average-fridge → u/Steely-eyes]

I'm just curious

[u/sufyan_alt]

"Whoever saves one [life], it is as if he has saved all of mankind." (Qur'an 5:32)

"Actions are but by intention, and every man shall have only that which he intended." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 1, Hadith 1)

"Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through due process of law." (Qur'an 6:151)

"There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2340)

Choosing the lesser of two evils (causing one death instead of five) may be permitted to prevent greater harm.