LessonsThe Universality of Divine Knowledge and Power: Classical ObjectionsQuiz

Two questions may be asked of the same event:
Who brings the event into existence? — the question of creation.
To whom is voluntary action and responsibility attributed? — the question of acquisition.

These are different questions. They should not be recast as requiring two independent creators of one event. Responsibility attaches to the human's particular relation to a voluntary act, not to an independent power of creation rivaling God.

The immediate purpose is to clarify the issue raised by Al-Balkhī and other Muʿtazilīs, not to exhaust every theory of kasb.

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One event, two distinct attributions

The Universality of Divine Knowledge and Power: Classical Objections

Two questions may be asked of the same event:
Who brings the event into existence? — the question of creation.
To whom is voluntary action and responsibility attributed? — the question of acquisition.

These are different questions. They should not be recast as requiring two independent creators of one event. Responsibility attaches to the human's particular relation to a voluntary act, not to an independent power of creation rivaling God.

The immediate purpose is to clarify the issue raised by Al-Balkhī and other Muʿtazilīs, not to exhaust every theory of kasb.