is by way of seeking Allah’s favor on the basis of His previous act, in order to bring about the subsequent act. That is: just as Your favor, glory be to You, has already preceded for the family of Abraham, so join Your favor for Muhammad and his family to it. This does not require there to be something compared and something to which it is compared.

If someone were to ask: Can the particle kāf indicate causation?

We say: Yes, it can indicate causation. Listen to what the scholars have said about it, and consider an example of its usage.

Ibn Mālik said:

Comparison is expressed with kāf; by it causation too
May be intended, and it may occur as an augmentative for emphasis.

His words, “by it causation too may be intended,” show that it may be used to express causation.

As for an example, Allah Most High says: “Just as We have sent among you a messenger from among yourselves, reciting to you...” [al-Baqarah 2:151]. Here, the kāf indicates the reason for what preceded it.

Likewise, Allah Most High says: “And remember Him as He has guided you” [al-Baqarah 2:198], meaning: because He has guided you. Although comparison is also possible here; that is, remember Him with the remembrance to which He has guided you.

Thus, this view—namely, that the kāf in the words, “just as You sent blessings,” indicates causation, by way of seeking the realization of the subsequent act on the basis of the previous act—is the soundest view, to which no objection applies.

“And send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.” ...........

His statement, “And send blessings upon Muhammad,” means: send down blessing upon him. This is why it takes the preposition “upon” rather than “for.” Blessing is derived from birkah, which is