Likewise, both necessarily entail knowledge. Anyone who teaches another must himself know what he teaches; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to teach someone else what he himself does not know. Thus, He who taught all things—human beings and others—what they did not know must all the more know what He taught them. Creation also necessarily entails knowledge, as the Most High says:
“Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?”
This is because creation necessarily entails will. Bringing something into being with particular characteristics and a particular measure, rather than otherwise, can only occur through a will that selects one possibility over another. Will, in turn, necessarily entails knowledge: one wills only what one is aware of and conceives in one’s mind. Will without awareness is impossible.
Moreover, the very act of creating man brings into being this human being, one of the wonders of creation. His creation displays such precision and perfection as to astound the mind. An act performed with precision and perfection can proceed only from one who knows what he has done. This is self-evident. Creation thus indicates knowledge in both these ways.
In Surah al-Mulk, He says:
“And He is the Subtle, the All-Aware.”
This explains the subtle wisdom found in created things, which involves bringing matters to their intended ends by the subtlest means. As Joseph, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, my Lord is Subtle in what