And He says:

“Whoever cannot find one must fast for two consecutive months.”
[al-Nisā’: 91]

Clearly, what is denied here is not an ability that exists only alongside the act, for the statement could then mean: whoever does not perform the act must fast for two consecutive months. Likewise, the command to fear Allah would apply to those who already fear Him, not those who do not; and pilgrimage would be obligatory for those who have performed it, rather than those who have not. This is false.

It is therefore clear that what is meant is an ability that exists without the act. Whatever can exist without the act can, all the more readily, exist before it.

It has been explained elsewhere that an infinite regress of causes and effects is impossible, as is plainly evident from action itself and as all rational people agree. The same applies to an infinite regress of acts and agents, or acts of creation and creators. It is therefore impossible for the Creator to have a creator, and that creator another creator, without end.

For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, explained that this is among Satan’s whisperings. He said in an authentic hadith:

“Satan comes to one of you and says, ‘Who created such-and-such? Who created such-and-such?’ until he says, ‘Who created Allah?’ If any of you experiences this, let him seek refuge in Allah and desist.”

In another narration:

“People will keep questioning one another until they say, ‘Here is Allah, who created creation—who created Allah?’ If any of you experiences this, let him seek refuge in Allah and desist.”

Likewise, if it is said: He creates nothing unless He creates such-and-such, and He does not create such-and-such unless He