And in the two Sahīh collections, Ibn Masʿūd reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah introduces whatever commands He wills, and among what He has newly introduced is that you must not speak during prayer.”

What He newly introduced was the prohibition against their speaking during prayer. As for their statement, “What is brought into being requires an act of bringing it into being, and so on,” this entails an infinite succession of effects, such as His speaking one utterance after another—for Allah’s words have no end—and His having always spoken whenever He wills. This is the position of the leading authorities of the Sunnah, and it is the truth supported by revelation and reason.

The same applies to His actions, for acting and speaking are attributes of perfection. One who speaks is more perfect than one who does not speak, and one who creates is more perfect than one who does not create. The Most High says:

“Is He who creates like one who does not create? Will you not then take heed?”

Thus, He has always possessed the attributes of perfection and been characterized by honor and majesty. This resolves the various difficulties and makes it clear that what the messengers have conveyed about Allah is among the truest of statements, and that rational proofs point only to what accords with the Messenger’s teachings. Yet error arose because many people were ignorant of what the Messenger conveyed