that is ambiguous, for disobedience and obedience are each an act and an accident subsisting in something else (1). Each must therefore have a locus in which it subsists. It necessarily subsists in the servant and does not subsist in Allah [blessed and exalted is He] (2)—of this there is no doubt.

It is well known that every created thing may be said to be “from Allah,” meaning that He created it as something distinct from Himself—not that it subsists in Him and is one of His attributes. Thus He [Exalted is He] (3) says:

“He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth—all from Him.” [Surah al-Jāthiya: 13] (4)

And He, Exalted is He, says:

“Whatever blessing you have is from Allah.” [Surah al-Nahl: 53]

Although Allah, Exalted is He, is the Creator of all things, He created good and evil because of the wisdom He has in doing so, by virtue of which His act is good and perfectly wrought. As He says:

“Who perfected everything He created and began the creation of man from clay.” [Surah al-Sajda: 7]

And He says:

“The workmanship of Allah, who perfected all things.” [Surah al-Naml: 88]

For this reason, evil is not ascribed to Him in isolation. Rather, it is either included within a general statement, ascribed to its cause, or expressed with its agent left unstated.

An example of the first is the statement of [Allah, Exalted is He] (5):

“Allah is the Creator of all things.” [Surah al-Zumar: 62]

An example of the second is His statement:

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak—from the evil of what He created.” [Surah al-Falaq: 1–2]

An example of the third is His statement in the account He relates from the jinn:

“We do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them.” [Surah al-Jinn: 10]

And [He has]