Thus, if one of the speculative theologians says that Allah does not bring things about through causes, but merely when those causes occur, not through them; that He does not act for a wise purpose; and that commanded acts contain nothing that makes them good, nor forbidden acts anything that makes them evil—this contradicts the texts of the Quran and Sunnah and the consensus of the early generations of the Muslim community.

The first to say this in Islam was Jahm ibn Safwān, whose misguidance the Muslim community unanimously acknowledged. He was the first to deny causes and natural properties, just as he was the first known to advocate denying the divine attributes, and the first to declare Allah’s speech created and deny that He will be seen in the Hereafter.

The texts of the Quran and Sunnah refuting this are very numerous, such as His words:

“We said, ‘O fire, be coolness and safety for Abraham.’”

He thus deprived the fire of its nature. And His words:

“That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation.”

And His words:

“Until, when they have carried heavy clouds”

He stated that the winds carry the clouds—that is, bear them—thus describing something inanimate as acting according to its nature. He also said:

“It stirred, swelled, and brought forth vegetation.”

He thus described it as acting according to its nature. And His words:

“So We caused every noble kind to grow therein.”

“Noble” means highly beneficial, and “kind” means a category.

There is abundant evidence in which He states that He creates through causes and for wise purposes. He also states that He upholds justice and does not wrong people in the least. Thus, He puts nothing where it does not belong, neither treats unlike things alike nor distinguishes between like things, as He said:

“Or do those who commit evil deeds think that We will make them”

—and the rest of the verse. And He said:

“Or shall We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on earth?”

—and the rest of the verse. And He said:

“Shall We then treat the Muslims