What is an Islamic Answer to "The Trolley Problem"

Salam my friends,

Many people, especially those who are fans of the American show "The Good Place" (if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, it's SO good!) , are aware of The Trolley Problem

It has many iterations, but the most basic is

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You see a runaway trolley moving toward five tied-up (or otherwise incapacitated) people lying on the tracks. You are standing next to a lever that controls a switch. If you pull the lever, the trolley will be redirected onto a side track, and the five people on the main track will be saved. However, there is a single person lying on the side track.

You have two options:
Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track.
Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person.

Which is the more ethical option?

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So, do you, through inaction, allow 5 to die or through direct action kill 1 to save 5.

I've thought about this and asked friends, it can be fun to discuss and there is no correct answer when it comes to ethics.

What would a Muslim, guided by nothing but the holy teachings of the Quran and the Prophet (PBUH) be obligated to do?

submitted by /u/DrSkyentist
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