On the ship that was about to sink, and we said to draw lots to save the group of people on the deck?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. As for the ship that was about to sink, we said that lots should be drawn and some of them thrown overboard.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : We mentioned that it is not permissible for him to kill the one who was forced to kill him, because in that lies preserving his own life, meaning in exchange for...
The Shaykh : Yes, this is what he killed; he did not go throwing specific people overboard without drawing lots. But yes, if he said, "You who are closest to the sea, throw them into the sea," those who are close, those on the wall facing the sea, yes.
The questioner : They will kill others to preserve their own lives.
The Shaykh : No, no, the lot may fall on Zayd or on 'Amr; it is not for a specific thing.
The questioner : Does that mean consent is required?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The consent of everyone on the ship is required. No, no, the person in charge of the ship must compel them. It is possible that everyone says, "We do not consent; we are afraid it will fall on us." We say, "All right, if you are afraid it will fall on you now, if you are afraid of death, the ship will sink and you will die, you and others, and perhaps the lot will not fall on you and you will be safe. The benefits take precedence."
The questioner : Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : There is an old disagreement on this matter. There is disagreement, and the most accurate of the later scholars hold that it is connected.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : We mentioned that it is not permissible for him to kill the one who was forced to kill him, because in that lies preserving his own life, meaning in exchange for...
The Shaykh : Yes, this is what he killed; he did not go throwing specific people overboard without drawing lots. But yes, if he said, "You who are closest to the sea, throw them into the sea," those who are close, those on the wall facing the sea, yes.
The questioner : They will kill others to preserve their own lives.
The Shaykh : No, no, the lot may fall on Zayd or on 'Amr; it is not for a specific thing.
The questioner : Does that mean consent is required?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The consent of everyone on the ship is required. No, no, the person in charge of the ship must compel them. It is possible that everyone says, "We do not consent; we are afraid it will fall on us." We say, "All right, if you are afraid it will fall on you now, if you are afraid of death, the ship will sink and you will die, you and others, and perhaps the lot will not fall on you and you will be safe. The benefits take precedence."
The questioner : Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : There is an old disagreement on this matter. There is disagreement, and the most accurate of the later scholars hold that it is connected.