Is the Qur’an Created? A Zaydi Theological Response
Question:
Wouldn’t it be better to describe the Qur’an simply as “revelation — the speech of God,” rather than calling it created, so we can avoid unnecessary arguments and unproductive debates?
At the same time, many maintain that God’s speech is an attribute of Him, not something created, despite differing opinions on the matter.
Answer:
What is preferable — and what unites Muslims — is the general, comprehensive expression of religion as a whole: in matters of divine unity (tawḥīd), justice, promise and threat, rather than delving into detailed theological disputes that opposing sects introduced beyond the Book and the Sunnah. Among these shared principles are that the Qur’an is the speech of God Almighty and His revelation; that God is One, nothing resembles Him; and that God is just and does not commit injustice.
When certain opposing Muslims went further by elaborating and systematizing mistaken meanings derived from the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah, the Imams of the Prophet’s family saw it as their duty to clarify the truth based on the foundations of the Book and the Sunnah, and to refute false, fabricated, and deviant statements. Thus they engaged in detailed theological responses — not as an original starting point, but as a reaction. Otherwise, the default principle is general expression. Correct detail supported by rational proofs is not prohibited so long as it comes from the trustworthy family of the Prophet — the “lesser weighty trust” paired with the Qur’an — and so long as it refutes falsehood and establishes truth.
Imam al-Qāsim ibn Ibrāhīm al-Rassī (peace be upon him), speaking about detailed theology, said:
“We are not enamored with this discipline, but we were compelled into it.”
And the Messenger of God — prayers and peace be upon him and his family — spoke truthfully when he said:
“With every innovation that arises after me by which faith is nearly undermined, there will be a guardian from my household entrusted with defending it — proclaiming and illuminating the truth and repelling the plots of the schemers. So take heed, O people of insight, and rely upon God.”
(Taysīr al-Maṭālib fī Amālī Abī Ṭālib).
So whoever likens God to creation, affirming for Him — from the ambiguous verses of the Qur’an — a hand, a face, or an eye, then the People of the House clarify what necessarily entails declaring God transcendent above such likeness. And whoever attributes to God — based on ambiguous texts — the willing of sins, the creation of major transgressions, or decreeing disobedience, then the People of the House clarify what affirms God’s transcendence and refute such false claims.
Likewise, regarding those who claim that the Qur’an is God’s speech spoken literally in a way resembling created beings, or that it is eternal alongside God, the People of the House refute this falsehood and clarify the truth — so that the methodology remains clear, upright, and a straight path whose interpretation is consistent with its revelation.
Yes — this is also a call to anyone who goes beyond sound affirmation without decisive proof from the Qur’an, a mass-transmitted Sunnah, or the consensus of the Prophet’s family, to fear God concerning the Muslims, for such additions only increase division — especially in these days when their enemies have united against them. The questioner may know that restricting transcendence to general statements alone, while adherents of corrupt doctrines persist, creates an unbalanced equation and neglects the duty of guidance that God has placed upon the scholars: to clarify and not conceal the truth.
May God grant you success.
Answered by: Professor al-Kāẓim al-Zaydi — may God grant him success.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad.
Translation of Professor al-Kāẓim al-Zaydi (May Allah reward him)