the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

He said: If this report proves authentic with a connected chain—if al-A‘mash heard it from Habīb ibn Abī Thābit, who heard it from ‘Atā’ ibn Abī Rabāh, and it is established that it comes from Ibn ‘Umar as al-A‘mash narrated it—then, in our understanding, attributing the form to the Most Merciful in this report is simply attributing something created to Him. For creation is attributed to the Most Merciful because Allah created it; likewise, the form is attributed to the Most Merciful because Allah fashioned it. Have you not heard His words, Mighty and Majestic is He:

“This is Allah’s creation. So show Me what those besides Him have created.” [Luqmān 11]

Allah thus attributed creation to Himself because He Himself created it. Likewise, in His words, Exalted is He, “This is Allah’s she-camel, a sign for you,” Allah attributed the she-camel to Himself. He also said, “She grazes in Allah’s land,” and, “Was Allah’s earth not spacious