FatwaFederal TerritoriesLegal Theory & Methodology
IRSYAD USUL AL-FIQH SIRI KE- 40 : PERTEMBUNGAN ANTARA DUA MAFSADAH
What is the meaning of the maxim that when two harms conflict, the lesser harm is committed?
Short answer
The maxim is accepted by scholars and is based on the story of the poor men's boat in Surah Al-Kahf verse 79, where the boat was slightly damaged so the king would not seize it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad Usul al-Fiqh
- Topic
- Legal Theory & Methodology
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The maxim is accepted by scholars and is based on the story of the poor men's boat in Surah Al-Kahf verse 79, where the boat was slightly damaged so the king would not seize it. If two harms are equal, a person may choose either, but if they differ, the lighter one is chosen. Examples include omitting prostration or standing in prayer for someone whose wound or urine flows, and eating carrion in necessity rather than taking another person's property. The lesser harm may be chosen only when two harms truly conflict and one is lighter than the other.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Sesiapa yang diuji dengan dua bala (musibah) dan kedua-duanya selari (dari sudut keburukan) maka dia boleh memilih untuk melakukan salah satu mengikut kehendaknya.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD USUL AL-FIQH SIRI KE- 40 : PERTEMBUNGAN ANTARA DUA MAFSADAH”, 13 November 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/3788-irsyad-usul-al-fiqh-siri-ke-40-pertembungan-antara-dua-mafsadah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/conflict-of-two-harms-choose-lesser-harm/