المعنى الاصطلاحي

A Shariah-approved method whereby a person’s share or lot is determined when a dispute occurs while there is no determining factor to choose a candidate over another.

الشرح المختصر

"Istihām" (drawing lots) is approved to settle disputes wherein people have equal claim to something while there is nothing to assign priority to one of them over the others. Examples of these include disputes over: calling the adhan, standing in the first row for congregational prayer, washing a dead person, custody, dividing something, litigation before the judge, and choosing one of the wives to travel with the husband. In such cases, "istihām" averts grudges and jealousy and urges people to accept the decree of Allah, the Almighty King. "Istihām" does not have a specific form. Rather, it is based on what people agree upon.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

"Istihām": drawing lots to determine a person’s share and lot.