Section
As for those who say, “The name is other than the thing named,” if they mean that names, which are utterances, are not themselves the things named, this too is something no rational person disputes. Those who hold the first position do not dispute this; rather, they refer to names in this sense as “designations.” Nor can they dispute that names mentioned in speech, as when one says, “O Adam! O Noah! O Abraham!” are intended only to address those who bear these names.
When someone says, “Allah created the heavens and the earth,” the meaning is that He created the things designated by these words. The speaker does not mean that He created the word “heaven” and the word “earth.” People understand from this only the intended meaning; it does not occur to anyone that the words themselves are intended. This is because it is firmly established in their minds that these words and names are used to convey meanings and designate the things named. When someone uses them in speech, this is what is intended. Yet that intention cannot be known unless the speaker utters the words and names that clarify and indicate it.
This is part of the gift of expression with which Allah has blessed the children of Adam, as He says:
“He created man;
He taught him eloquence.”
He—glorified and exalted is He—also taught Adam all the names.