through the heart, the tongue, and the hand. If, then, every created thing contains a blessing, praise can only be for a blessing. And praise belongs to Allah in every circumstance. Yet this is understood only by those who recognize the blessings within created things. The Jahmiyya and the Jabriyya are far removed from this, as are the Qadariyya, who say: “Wisdom concerns not Him, but only the benefit of created beings.”
Their position therefore leaves room only for gratitude, just as the position of the Jahmiyya leaves room only for power. Power devoid of blessing and wisdom displays nothing praiseworthy. The reality of their doctrine is that He does not deserve praise: His is sovereignty without praise. Likewise, according to the Mu'tazila, His is a kind of praise without sovereignty. According to the early generations, however, His are both sovereignty and praise in their entirety.
Allah Most High says:
“Allah bears witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him—as do the angels and those endowed with knowledge—while He upholds justice. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”
He alone is worthy of worship, and to Him belong justice, might, and wisdom. These four are affirmed only by the early generations and their followers. Whoever falls short in knowledge of the Sunnah denies the Lord some of what is rightfully His.
The Jahmī-Jabrī affirms neither justice nor wisdom, nor His oneness as the sole object of worship; rather, he affirms only His oneness as Lord. The Mu'tazilī affirms neither His oneness as the sole object of worship, nor justice, might, or wisdom. Even if he says that he affirms some wisdom, understood as pertaining to others rather than Him, that is not wisdom. Anyone who acts, not for a purpose pertaining to himself but for one pertaining to another, is not wise in the judgment of all rational people.
Since praise is offered only for a blessing, it has been established that it is the foremost part of gratitude; it is therefore the beginning of gratitude and praise,