preclude attributing action to an animal, even though Allah created that action.

For the Qadariyya do not dispute that Allah is the Creator of the powers and movements within inanimate things. Allah has stated(1) that the earth brings forth vegetation and that the clouds carry water, as He Most High says:

“And those bearing a heavy load.”

[Surah al-Dhāriyāt: 2].

The wind moves the clouds, as He Most High says:

“It is He Who sends the winds as glad tidings ahead of His mercy. Then, when they bear heavy clouds, We drive them to a lifeless land.”

[Surah al-A‘rāf: 57].

He has also stated that the wind destroys everything, and that the water overflowed, in His words Most High:

“Indeed, when the water overflowed, We carried you aboard the sailing vessel.”

[Surah al-Hāqqa: 11].

Indeed, He has stated something even more emphatic than this: that these things prostrate themselves and glorify Him, as in His words Most High:

“Do you not see that whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth prostrate themselves to Allah, as do the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the creatures? So too do many people, while many others have deserved the punishment.”

[Surah al-Hajj: 18].

This detailed distinction rules out interpreting this as merely meaning that, by being created, they point to the Creator, and that what is meant is their testimony through their state; for that applies to all people.

He Most High also says:

“O mountains, join him in repeated praise, and the birds as well. And We made iron pliable for him.”

[Surah Saba’: 10].

And He says:

“Indeed, We subjected the mountains to glorify with him in the evening and at sunrise, and the birds assembled—all joining him in repeated praise.”

[Surah Sād: 18, 19].