creation and what is created, say: They are created by Allah and brought about by Him; they are not themselves His act of creating, which is an attribute subsisting in Him.

Thus, the reprehensible consequences these people mention do not apply to the position of the majority of Ahl al-Sunnah. Rather, they can be leveled only against a group of those who affirm divine predestination, such as al-Asharī and others.

As for his claim that Ahl al-Sunnah say that He acts unjustly and without purpose: if he means something that would constitute injustice and purposelessness on His part, then this [on his part] (1) is a fabrication against them (2). If, however, he says this by way of imposing what he considers a necessary consequence of their position, they do not concede that it is injustice. They differ over the definition of injustice, as has (3) already been explained. If he means something that constitutes injustice and purposelessness on the servant’s part, there is nothing objectionable in its being (4) created by Allah.

The majority of them do not say, “This injustice and purposelessness is an act of Allah” (5). Rather, they say, “It is the servant’s act, but it is created by Allah,” just as the servant’s capacity, hearing, and sight are created by Allah Most High, yet they are not the hearing, sight, or power of the True One.

[Section: Refutation of the Rāfidī’s claim that they say Allah Most High does not do what is most beneficial]

Section.

As for his claim concerning them—that they say [He] (6) does not do what is most beneficial