all things by His strength and power. When Iblīs did not invoke this argument, but turned instead to saying:

“I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.” (76) [Sād 76]

this provided the clearest evidence that he knew Allah had distinguished Adam, peace be upon him, in his creation in a way that neither Iblīs nor any of the angels shared. There is no explanation for this distinction other than what Allah, Mighty and Majestic, made clear in His words:

“what I created with My two hands” [Sād 75]

as stated by revelation and confirmed by its interpretation. And Allah knows best.

Furthermore, Allah Most High’s blessings are created, just as Adam is; both alike bear the mark of being created. How, then, could He speak of creating one created thing by means of another? What point would there be in saying this, if that were the case?

Moreover, according to those who deny the divine attributes, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is not described as possessing strength. How, then, can they affirm it of Him in their interpretation of this verse, when their doctrine denies strength of Allah?

Some of them have claimed that the two blessings here mean water and clay, because He created Adam, peace be upon him, from them. This interpretation is untenable and meaningless. Had He intended that, He would have said, “what I created from