Is it true that Allah did not create properties in bodies, such as the magnetism of a magnet and the burning property in fire, and that He, glory be to Him, creates these actions only when the event occurs, citing as evidence the story of Abraham (peace be upon him) with the fire and the story of the Companions crossing the river without getting wet, and that a Muslim should therefore not fear things like sharp tools?

The answer regarding the denial of the effect of causes:

1. What the Ash'aris maintain, concerning the negation of the effect of causes on their effects, is in agreement with the Jabarites. They say that fire does not burn by its nature, but rather Allah creates burning when it meets something flammable. Similarly, a knife does not cut by its nature. This is what they call "Tawhid" (Oneness of God), and they consider anyone who disagrees to be an innovator or an infidel.

2. The Sunni imams refuted this statement by affirming that Allah Almighty created things and created their effects within them. The causes are not effective in themselves, but rather by Allah's command and power. Ibn al-Qayyim denounced the saying of anyone who claimed that Tawhid is not complete except by denying causes, emphasizing that this is a misjudgment of Tawhid.

3. The reason the Ash'aris said this was to affirm miracles and Allah's comprehensive power, but this contradicts religious law, human nature (fitra), and reason.

4. The claim of denying causes necessitates the disabling of reason and human nature, for the Qur'an and Sunnah are full of affirmations of causes, and causes and effects are subject to Allah's will, and He is the One who strengthens or nullifies some of them.

5. People concerning causes, powers, and natures are of three categories: those who exaggerate in negating them (like the Ash'aris), others who link the world to them without Allah's will (like the philosophers), and the correct view is to affirm them as creation and command, and that they are under Allah's management and will, and He is the doer of what He intends.