created things, as in the saying of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):

“Allah created mercy, on the day He created it, in a hundred portions.”

And his report concerning Allah Most High:

“He says to Paradise, ‘You are My mercy; through you I show mercy to whomever I will among My servants.’ And He says to the Fire, ‘You are My punishment; through you I punish whomever I will among My servants.’”

Likewise, “speech” may refer to speech as an attribute, as in Allah’s saying:

“And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice.”

And His saying:

“They wish to change Allah’s words.”

It may also refer to what is brought about by the word, such as the Messiah, to whom He said “Be,” and he came into being. He thus created him without a father, rather than in the usual, familiar manner among