and punished for it. Acts characterize (1) (* the one in whom they subsist, not the One who created them. If things that do not involve volition, such as tastes and colors, characterize *) (2) their substrates rather than their Creator within those substrates, then what of voluntary acts?

When Allah Most High creates noxious creatures—such as snakes, scorpions, and vicious dogs—and makes these noxious creatures noxious, is He, glorified is He, thereby described as noxious? And when He creates foul things—such as excrement, blood, and wine—and makes what is foul to be foul, is He thereby characterized as foul? What comparison is there (3) between attributing a quality to the subject that it characterizes and in which it subsists, and ascribing a created thing to its Creator? Whoever fails to understand this distinction (4) has been deprived of the defining characteristic of humanity.

[The] (5) seventh point: Allah Most High has commanded us to seek refuge from the punishment of Hell, the punishment (6) of the grave, and other created things of His, which are His creations (7) by consensus of the Muslims. It is thus known that there is nothing to prevent us from seeking refuge (8) from the evil He has created (9), as He Most High says:

“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak from the evil of what He has created.’”

[Surah al-Falaq: 1–2]

There is no difference [in this respect] (10) between Iblīs and anything else.