and likewise, He has described Himself as plotting and scheming, just as He has described His servant in these terms, saying:

“They plot, and Allah plots.”

He also says:

“Indeed, they are devising a scheme.”

“And I am devising a scheme.”

Yet Allah’s plotting is not like His servant’s plotting, nor His scheming like His servant’s scheming.

He has attributed action to Himself, saying:

“Do they not see that We have created for them livestock from what Our hands have made, and that they own them?”

He has also attributed action to His servant, saying:

“As a reward for what they used to do.”

Yet Allah’s action is not like His servant’s action.

He has described Himself as calling and speaking privately, saying:

“We called him from the right side of the Mount and brought him near, speaking to him privately.”

He also says:

“And on the Day He will call them.”

And:

“And their Lord called to them.”

He has described His servants as calling and speaking privately, saying:

“Indeed, most of those who call you from behind the chambers have no understanding.”

He also says:

“When you consult the Messenger privately.”

And:

“When you converse privately, do not converse about sin and aggression.”

Yet Allah’s calling and private speech are not like those of His servants.

He has described Himself as speaking, saying:

“And Allah spoke to Moses directly.”

And:

“And when Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him.”

And:

“Those messengers—We favored some over others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke.”

He has described His servant as speaking, saying:

“And the king said, ‘Bring him to me; I will select him for myself.’ Then, when he spoke to him, he said, ‘Today you are held in high standing with us and trusted.’”

Yet Allah’s speaking is not like His servant’s speaking.

He has described Himself as informing, and has described some of His creatures as informing, saying:

“And when the Prophet confided a matter to one of his wives, and she disclosed it and Allah made it known to him, he made known part of it and overlooked part. When he informed her of it, she said, ‘Who informed you of this?’ He said, ‘The All-Knowing, the All-Aware informed me.’”

Yet Allah’s informing is not like that of His creatures.