What is the meaning of the principle "choose the lesser of two evils," and what are its most prominent sources?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Harm is removed if its removal does not lead to another harm. However, if its removal leads to another harm, then there are three scenarios:
1. If the second harm is greater than the first, then the first harm is not removed. 2. If the second harm is equal to the first, then one harm is not repelled by another equal to it. 3. If the second harm is lighter than the first, then the first harm is removed, based on the : "There is no harm nor reciprocal harm." In this case, the lesser of the two evils is chosen.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/80397
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 80397
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy