Steal or die?

Discussion in 'Tasawwuf / Adab / Akhlaq' started by Unbeknown, Feb 13, 2022.

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  1. Unbeknown

    Unbeknown Senior Moderator

    this is the kind of made up scenario people use to probe ethical quandaries.

    Check this popular course by Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel

     
  2. sherkhan

    sherkhan Veteran

    If this is a question of morality/ethics, then answer will be subjective (i.e. there's no right answer, other than to refrain/repent/restitute).

    If it's a question of fiqh (i.e. what's the punishment for a destitute one who steals due to his trying circumstances), then it is 'probably' analogous to hanafi ruling on theft of items of insignificant value.
     
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  3. Surati

    Surati Well-Known Member

    Realistically though, why would it even come to that?
     
  4. Aqdas

    Aqdas Staff Member

    I think the principle is, to save a life, you can commit haram to the minimal degree.

    So if she needs it urgently and he can't wait a minute, then take it and give it to his wife.

    Then come back and discuss with the pharmacy and get help off others.
     
  5. Surati

    Surati Well-Known Member

    Lol can’t he ask the pharmacist and explain his predicament?
    I’m sure people would help if he reached out to organisations or mosques?
     
  6. Aqdas

    Aqdas Staff Member

    But if she needs the medicine immediately, otherwise she'll die, then maybe that's a different answer...
     
  7. Aqdas

    Aqdas Staff Member

    Maybe he should ask friends and family for money.
     
  8. Sirhindi

    Sirhindi New Member

    There was a husband and wife.The wife was ill and needed treatment.The medication prescribed worked well for her and she began to recover.However as time went on he could no longer afford the medicine that was making her better.So one day he was at the pharmacy and the medicine she needed was there and there was no one behind the counter so it was a good chance to steal it.

    Islamically should he steal the medicine?
     

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