consult the real-estate agents; and if you want to buy a car, seek the advice of automotive engineers, and so on.

For that reason it is said, “No one is ever let down after performing istikhāra (the prayer for guidance), and no one ever regrets after seeking counsel.”

Without doubt, a person should never deem himself complete; whoever claims perfection for himself is actually deficient. He must review his decisions—especially in weighty matters that touch on the concerns of the community—for zeal and emotion may drive someone to do something that is, in itself, lawful and unobjectionable, yet speaking about it may be ill-timed, ill-placed, or otherwise inappropriate.

Because of this, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—refrained from rebuilding the Kaʿbah upon the foundations of Abraham, fearing it might provoke discord. He said to ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her: “Were it not that your people have only recently left disbelief, I would rebuild the Kaʿbah on the foundations laid by Abraham and would give it two doors: one for people to enter and another for them to exit.” This would have made it easier for the people to enter the House of Allah, yet he left the matter for fear of stirring strife, despite the clear benefit it entailed.

Even more remarkable is that Allah Most High forbade us to revile the idols of the polytheists—though those idols surely deserve condemnation and scorn—because doing so would lead them to revile the Almighty Lord, Who is exalted above every defect and deficiency. Thus Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, said: