[al-An‘ām 1], thereby making clear that He is the Creator of lights, there are several responses:

First, when He declares that He made darkness and light, it is understood that the light He made is that which alternates with darkness, each taking the other’s place, as with daylight and the darkness of night. As for Allah Himself and His light, no darkness succeeds either by taking its place, so neither falls within this general wording.

Second, this objection applies equally to him, for he interpreted “light” as “the Guide,” “the One who sets things right,” and “the Illuminator.” If His words,

“and made darkness and light” [al-An‘ām 1],

encompass the light mentioned in His words,

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth” [al-Nūr 35],

it would follow that He made Himself. But if they do not encompass Him, it does not follow that He is the Creator of the light mentioned in this verse.

Third, it is well known that when Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said that He is the Creator of all things, and said,

“We made from water every living thing” [al-Anbiyā’ 30],

and said,

“Every soul will taste death” [Āl ‘Imrān 185],

He Himself was not included among the things He created, the living beings He made from water, or the souls that taste death, even though He has been called