and Sufism, together with the majority of Muslims and the majority of their various groups. Only some of the Shi'a fall outside this designation. The leading authorities among these groups and most of their adherents uphold the middle position, which is neither that of the Mu'tazila nor that of Jahm and his compulsionist followers. Whoever says that any temporal occurrence—including the acts of angels, jinn, and human beings—was not created by Allah Most High has opposed the Quran, the Sunnah, the consensus of the early generations, and the rational proofs](1) *)(2).

For this reason, one of the early generations said:

“Whoever says, ‘Human speech or the servants’ acts(3) are uncreated,’ is like one who says, ‘Allah’s heaven and earth are uncreated.’”

Allah Most High creates whatever He creates(4) for a wise purpose, as previously explained. Among created things are those through which(5) incidental harm may come to some people, such as diseases, pain, and their causes. His creation of the attributes and acts that cause such harm(6) likewise falls within this category. We therefore know that Allah has a wise purpose in this, (*and when He has done it for a wise purpose, it ceases to be folly; and when punishment is imposed for the servant’s voluntary act, it is not injustice. Thus, with respect to the Lord, this occurrence serves a wise purpose *)(7) on account of which it is good(8); with respect(9) to the servant, it is justice, for he was punished for his own act. Allah did not wrong him; rather, he wronged himself.