“The Quran is eternal.” This too is an innovation that none of the early generations ever affirmed. Rather, they used to say:

“The Quran is Allah’s speech, uncreated; it came from Him and to Him it shall return” (1).

Initially, their statement, “It is Allah’s speech,” was sufficient (2) for them. For whatever is the speech of a speaker cannot be separate from him. Such a notion conflicts with both reason and the transmitted texts concerning speech. With respect to all attributes, it is impossible for a subject to be described by an attribute that never inheres in it but exists only separately from it.

The claim of the Jahmiyyah and the Mutazilah—that His speech, will, love, hatred, pleasure, wrath, and other such attributes are all things He created, separate from Him—is among the doctrines for which the early generations and the majority of later scholars condemned them. Indeed, they said:

“This is a form of disbelief that entails declaring the Messenger (3) a liar and denying the attributes to which Allah is entitled.”

The statements of the early generations refuting this doctrine—and indeed, (4) pronouncing it disbelief—are numerous and widely known.

Likewise, the early generations never said [that] (5) His wrath against Pharaoh and his people was eternal, nor that His rejoicing at a penitent person’s repentance was eternal.

The same applies to all the other ways in which He has described Himself as recompensing His servants for obedience and disobedience, including His pleasure and wrath. None of them said that these were eternal, for recompense does not precede the deed.