created you from weakness, then after weakness granted strength, then after strength brought weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful” (30:54). He also said, “and He will add strength to your strength” (11:52); and, “We built the heaven with Our might” (51:47)—that is, with power; and, “Remember Our servant David, possessed of might” (38:17)—that is, of strength. Thus knowledge is not like knowledge, nor is strength like strength.

Likewise, He has attributed will (mashīʾa) to Himself and has attributed will to His servant, saying, “for anyone among you who wishes to stay upright; but you do not will except that Allah, Lord of all the worlds, wills” (81:28-29); and, “This is a reminder, so whoever wills may take a path to his Lord; yet you do not will except that Allah wills—indeed Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (76:29-30).

Similarly, He has ascribed intent (irāda) to Himself and to His servant, saying, “You desire the fleeting gains of this world, whereas Allah desires the Hereafter, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise” (8:67).