[Maryam 77–78]

For Satan promises his allies and fills them with many vain hopes, as He says:

“He promises them and fills them with vain hopes, but Satan promises them nothing but delusion. (120)” [al-Nisā’ 120]

Someone like this is therefore told, “He awaits nothing but punishment, not bliss,” or, “He awaits nothing but truth and justice,” or, “He awaits nothing but recompense for deeds,” and the like. The verse uses the second type of formulation, not the first. The evidence for this is abundant.

The third example is his statement:

“Interpretation of the hadiths concerning laughter. Know that laughter in its literal sense is impossible for Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Several arguments demonstrate this. First, His words, Most High:

‘And He is the One who causes laughter and weeping. (43)’ [al-Najm 43]

Thus He made clear that what befits Him is to cause laughter and weeping; as for laughing and weeping themselves, they do not befit Him.”

He also said, “If laughter were possible for Him, weeping would also be possible for Him, and indeed