This brings to light another part of Mary's life history, calling them the news of the unseen, or hidden, because such forms of stories that are free from superstitions and full of truth, and which are not found elsewhere in the books and scriptures, have been revealed by inspiration to our prophet; i.e. the Quränic verses.
Allah says to His Messenger: ``You were not present there to see the contention and dispute between the priests, and finally their casting lot by pen or reeds, and the fall of the lot upon Zacharias in order to have the charge of Mary.''
This verse and others (QURÄN S 37: 140) imply that in certain cases when contention and controversies have led to a deadlock taking decision by casting lot is permissible in Islam.