Can Salāt al-Istikhārah be beneficial in determining the ruling on an act, whether it is permissible (halal) or forbidden (haram)? And does it absolve from sin one who proceeds with an act after performing Istikhārah, if it later becomes clear that the act was forbidden? This is asked while taking into consideration historical and contemporary examples such as: the conflict between Ali and Mu'awiyah, the struggle during the Great Arab Revolt, martyrdom operations in Palestine, and the revolutions in the Arab world.

It is not permissible for an ignorant person to seek clarification on the rulings of what is lawful and unlawful through Istikhara (prayer for guidance). Rather, it is obligatory for them to learn and to ask the people of knowledge, because a responsible individual must not undertake an action until they know Allah's ruling concerning it, and seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.

As for Istikhara, it is for seeking Allah's guidance to the truth when there is disagreement on issues. This applies to the common person after they have asked the people of knowledge and found them to differ, or to the Mujtahid (independent jurist) who has not been aided by the evidence to reach a Sharia ruling.