in the form of carving and shaping, through His words:
“And what you make.”
It is thus established that the verse indicates that He is the Creator of both, which is what had to be established. Moreover, the verses indicating that the servants’ acts are created are numerous, as noted above (1).
[However, His creation of manufactured objects (2), such as ships, buildings, and clothing, is analogous to His creation of carved objects. Allah Most High says:
“And a sign for them is that We carried their forefathers in the laden ship, and We created for them the likes of it, upon which they ride.”
[Surah Yā Sīn: 41, 42]
And Allah Most High says:
“Allah has made shade for you from what He created; He has made shelters for you in the mountains; and He has made garments for you that protect you from the heat, and armor that protects you in battle. Thus does He perfect His blessing upon you, so that you may submit.”
[Surah al-Nahl: 81]] (3).
(1) Manuscripts (N), (M), and (‘Ayn): “upon it.”
(2) Manuscripts (A) and (B): “created things.”
(3) The passage in square brackets is from manuscripts (N) and (M). In manuscript (‘Ayn), it is followed by the phrase “And Allah knows best.” Manuscript (‘Ayn) ends here, and the following colophon appears after that phrase: “Here ends the second volume of *Minhāj al-Sunna al-Nabawiyya fī Naqd Kalām al-Shī‘a al-Qadariyya*, by Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyya—may Allah envelop him in His mercy. Its copying was completed by the servant ‘Alī ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Alī ibn ‘Abbās al-Ba‘lī al-Hanbalī—may Allah forgive him, his parents, his teachers, and all Muslims. Amen, Lord of the worlds. It was written on the seventeenth of the sacred month of Dhū al-Hijja, in the year 777. May Allah Most High bring that year to a good end in well-being. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah bestow abundant blessings and peace upon our master Muhammad, the Prophet of mercy, and upon his family and Companions until the Day of Judgment.” See also the introduction to the first volume.