And the “Kullābiyyah” say throughout this discussion: What newly arises is a relation between the command and the person commanded, between the will and what is willed, and between hearing and sight and what is heard and seen. They are told: This relation must be either existent or nonexistent. If it is nonexistent, nothing new has arisen, for nonexistence is nothing. If it is existent, their position is invalidated.

Moreover, it is impossible for a “relation”—a relationship or relational attribution—to arise without something arising that necessitates it. A relationship or relational attribution arises only when something existent arises that entails it. A group, including Ibn ʿAqīl, call this relationship “states.” The various “groups” agree that “relationships,” “relational attributions,” and “relations” arise anew. Yet relationships cannot arise without something arising that necessitates them. A relationship or relational attribution can therefore only follow from an attribute with real existence, as with fatherhood, sonship, being above or below, and being to the right or left: these necessarily entail realities that actually exist.

The same applies to His being “Creator,” “Provider,” “Beneficent,” and “Just.” These are acts He performs by His will and power, since He creates by His will, provides by His will, acts justly by His will, and bestows goodness by His will. The position of the “vast majority of Muslims,” among both the early and later generations, is that the act of creation is distinct from the created thing: creation is the Creator’s act, while the created thing is what His act produces. This is why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would seek refuge in the Lord’s acts and attributes, as in his words:

“I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your displeasure, in Your protection from Your punishment, and in You from You. I cannot adequately praise You; You are as You have praised Yourself.”

Thus he sought refuge in His act of granting protection, just as he sought refuge in His pleasure.