Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
Is making a decision by flipping a coin, drawing lots, or playing rock/paper/scissors with someone haram or halal?
Answer
I pray you are well.
Using chance-based means to decide matters is halal. They do not entail having erroneous beliefs, nor does it mean that those matters have any will or power independent of Allah. Don’t worry about the matter.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used such means, as it is an effective way of being fair in many situations: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah intended to go on a journey he would draw lots between his wives. Whoever’s arrow was drawn he would her with him.“ (Muslim)
This shows these matters are permissible, and even the preferred method to make an unbiased choice in situations.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani