So if we said to you: Did Allah create the creation as a favor [Tafaddul] from Him upon them, or for a need of His for them?

If you say: As a favor, [we say] they were in a state of non-existence [Adam], and favoring is only upon an existent, not upon a non-existent. Then He made them obligated [Mukallafin] between obedience for which they are rewarded and disobedience for which they are punished, and this is not the aspect of favoring.

If you say: For need, [we say] the Creator [Al-Bari], Exalted is He, is not in need of anything.

And if you say: Neither as a favor nor for a need, [we say] He is acting frivolously [Abith], and Allah is too majestic for frivolity [Abath].

If you say: And is it permissible for the doer [Fa'il] to be named a doer if he did not do? And is it permissible that he be named a doer before an action occurs from him?

We say: No, and this is by the division of necessity: There must be an action for the doer, otherwise he is not named a doer before an action occurs from him.

If you say: Is the Creator [Al-Bari] a Creator or not a Creator?

We say: A Creator, and He ceases not to be a Creator, and creation is His act.