of those who assert that the Quran is created, because the Quran falls under the divine command, and Allah’s command is not created. Allah has drawn a clear line between creation and command, treating them as two distinct categories, and since the Quran belongs to the command, it is therefore uncreated.

This was precisely the argument Imam Ahmad used against the Jahmiyyah when they demanded that he declare the Quran created. He asked them, “Is the Quran part of creation or part of the command?” They replied, “The Quran is part of the command.” He said, “Then the command is uncreated; Allah has differentiated it from creation, making creation one thing and the command another.”

The command is speech, whereas creation is the act of bringing things into existence and forming them; there is a decisive difference between the two.

Tabāraka Allah—meaning, exalted and supremely blessed is He whose actions, power, and creatures are as described. The verb tabāraka is reserved for Him alone, glorified be He; it is never used for anyone else. Barakah (blessing) is the abundance and growth of goodness, and Allah’s blessings—majestic and exalted is He—are limitless. As for a created being, one does not say of him tabāraka; rather, one says mubārak, meaning “may Allah bless him and make him blessed,” for every blessing comes from Allah.