Is drawing lots permissible in a marriage proposal, and how is the better choice known after the prayer for guidance?

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.

The questioner : Honorable Shaykh, if you please, is it permissible to use drawing lots to accept or reject a marriage proposal?

The Shaykh : Drawing lots with whom? Yes, drawing lots with whom?

The questioner : I mean, drawing lots for myself only.

The Shaykh : No, no, this is forbidden. This is a practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. And seeking a decision by lots is forbidden. But you should seek guidance from Allah the Exalted: you pray two rak'ahs and then make the well-known supplication for guidance (istikharah).

The questioner : Yes, okay. And how does one feel after the istikharah, I mean?

The Shaykh : It does not require a feeling.

The questioner : How is it made clear?

The Shaykh : If a person seeks guidance from his Lord, then whatever is decreed after that is, if Allah wills, the better choice.

The presenter : Yes. Yes.