Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
If a driver is in a trajectory to hit a pedestrian, can the pedestrian defend himself by throwing an object that destroys the car and driver, so he is unharmed himself?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah Institute.
Saving oneself from all dangers and harm is an Islamic imperative. However, saving oneself by harming another is impermissible in Islam. That being said it is islamicaly unlawful to destroy a car and its driver to protect oneself from an anticipated accident. – (See: Al-Qawāid Al-Fiqhiyyah, Page 31[1] and 32[2], Dār Al-Tirmidhī)
The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Harming others or reciprocating harm of others is not permissible [in Islam].” – (Muwaṭṭa Mālik 1435)[3]
Only Allāh knows best
[1] الضرر يدفع بقدر الإمكان – القواعد الفقهية ص٣١ دار الترمذي
[2] لا يجوز للإنسان ان يدفع الغرق عن ارضه باغراق ارض غيره ولا ان يحفظ ماله باتلاف مال غيره – القواعد الفقهية ص٣٢ دار الترمذي
[3] لا ضرر ولا ضرار – رواه مالك في المؤطا ١٤٣٥
