and mercy are among His attributes. As for the punishment that befalls His servants, it is something He creates, and it is this that is painful. He did not say, “And I am the Punisher.” Nor is “the Avenger” among His names established through the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Rather, vengeance is mentioned in the Quran with a qualification, as in His words:

“Indeed, We will exact vengeance upon the criminals.”

Its meaning is also attributed to Allah in His words:

“Indeed, Allah is Almighty, Possessor of vengeance.”

This is an indefinite expression in an affirmative context. An indefinite expression in an affirmative context is unrestricted; it does not denote generality encompassing all instances.

That is because Allah, glory be to Him, is Wise and Merciful. He has stated that He created all things only in accordance with His wisdom, as in His words, Most High:

“We did not create the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve.”

He, Most High, also says:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for people of understanding.”

“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: ‘Our Lord, You have not created this without purpose.’”

He, Most High, also says:

“We did not create the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.”

“Had We wished to take a diversion, We would have taken it from Our own presence, if We were to do so.”

And He says in the other surah:

“We created them only in truth, but most of them do not know.”

This makes clear that His expression “in truth” in the other verses carries this meaning, which encompasses His wisdom, as in His words:

“It is He who created the heavens and the earth in truth, and on the Day He says, ‘Be,’ it comes to be.”

And His words:

“We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except