A Refutation of Those Who Claim that Allah Did Not Create Evil

He said to him, “Is a servant able, by his own power, to bring harm or benefit to himself?” If he answers, “No—for people are compelled with respect to harm and benefit, except in matters of obedience and disobedience,” then say to him: “Did Allah create evil or not?”

Should he reply, “Yes,” he contradicts his previous assertion; yet if he says, “No,” he has fallen into disbelief, for the Most High says: “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of daybreak, from the evil of what He has created” (Q 113:1-2). The verse plainly states that Allah, exalted is He, created evil.

I then said, “If he argues, ‘Do you not affirm that Allah willed both disbelief and faith?’—and we answer, ‘Yes’—he will retort, ‘Does not Allah, exalted is He, say: “He is most worthy of being feared and most worthy of granting forgiveness” (Q 74:56)?’ We reply, ‘Indeed, He does.’”