views they have recorded on this subject is that of the dualists, who affirm two principles, “light” and “darkness,” and hold that light created good and darkness created evil. They then report two views held by them concerning darkness. The first is that it came into being, in which case it is among the things created by light. The second is that it is without beginning, but has produced only evil, and is therefore inferior to light in its essence, its attributes, and what it produces.

He, glorified be He, has told us in His Book of the polytheists’ acknowledgment that Allah is the Creator of all created things. He says:

“If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Have you considered those you invoke besides Allah? If Allah intended harm for me, could they remove that harm? Or if He intended mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me. In Him do those who trust put their trust.’”

And He, exalted be He, says:

“Say, ‘To whom belong the earth and whoever is in it, if you know?’”

“They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then take heed?’”

“Say, ‘Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?’”

“They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then fear Him?’”

The passage continues to His words:

“How, then, are you deluded?”

And then to His words:

“Allah has not taken any son, nor is there any god alongside Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he created, and some would have prevailed over others. Exalted is Allah above what they attribute to Him!”

And He says:

“Most of them do not believe in Allah without associating partners with Him.”

From this and other evidence, we can recognize the error that has arisen concerning what is meant by affirming Allah’s oneness, for most