All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The Qur’an affirms the act of kayd for Allah Almighty, but it occurs in the context of countering the plotting and schemes of the disbelievers. Therefore, it is not correct to attribute “kayd” to Allah without qualification, nor is it permissible to derive a Name of Allah from it. Rather, it should be mentioned in the context in which it occurs and with a meaning befitting His Majesty.
In its original linguistic meaning, kayd means planning or devising, and such planning may be for a rightful or wrongful purpose depending on the context.
Abu Mansur al-Azhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
“Kayd means planning, whether for falsehood or for truth.”
Thus, the word kayd is not blameworthy in every usage. Its ruling and meaning vary according to the intended purpose and the context in which it occurs.
Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, they are planning a plan, and I am planning a plan. So allow the disbelievers respite; give them a little time.”
[At-Tariq 86:15–17]
These verses explain that the disbelievers devise schemes to harm the truth and its people, while Allah Almighty counters their schemes with His planning, which nullifies their plots and recompenses them for their deeds.
Al-Sa‘di, may Allah have mercy on him, explained in his commentary on the verse that the disbelievers scheme to repel the truth and support falsehood, while Allah Almighty plans in order to manifest the truth, repel the falsehood they bring, and then bring punishment upon them.
Thus, Allah’s kayd in this context is perfection, justice, wisdom, and power, and it is not like the unjust and transgressive plotting of created beings.
Allah Almighty says:
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”
[Ash-Shura 42:11]
A distinction must be made between affirming an act mentioned in the revealed text and applying a description to Allah Almighty in an unrestricted manner.
Kayd is among those acts that are not absolute perfection in every circumstance. Rather, they constitute perfection when they occur in their proper context, such as when they are a recompense against those who first engage in plotting, scheming, and aggression.
Therefore, one should not say without qualification: “Allah is a planner” or “Allah is characterized by kayd.”
Rather, it should be mentioned in the context in which the revealed text uses it, such as:
“And I plan a plan.”
Or, when clarification is needed, one may say:
“Allah’s kayd against the disbelievers is based on truth and justice.”
This is similar to other expressions mentioned in the Qur’an in contexts of recompense and response, such as plotting, mockery, and deception.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, explained that plotting, mockery, and ridicule are injustice when directed toward someone who does not deserve punishment. However, when they occur as punishment for someone who initiated such conduct, they constitute justice and recompense in accordance with the deed.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on him, likewise explained that attributes which constitute perfection only under certain conditions, such as plotting, deception, and mockery, are not attributed to Allah Almighty without qualification. Rather, they are restricted to the context in which they constitute perfection. Thus, one may say, for example: “He counters those who plot” and “He counters the disbelievers’ schemes,” but one should not say without qualification: “Allah is a plotter” or “Allah is a planner.”
It is not correct to name Allah Almighty “Al-Ka’id.” Allah’s Names are established only through revelation, so no Name may be affirmed for Him except on the basis of evidence.
The verse does not mention the Name “Al-Ka’id.” Rather, it attributes the act of kayd to Allah Almighty in the context of countering the schemes of the disbelievers:
“Indeed, they are planning a plan, and I am planning a plan.”
This confirms the distinction between the category of Divine Names and the category of acts and attributes. Not every act that Allah informs us He does necessarily gives rise to a derived Name for Him.
The act of kayd is affirmed for Allah Almighty as it appears in the Qur’an. It is a kayd of truth, justice, and wisdom in response to the schemes of disbelievers and aggressors, and it is not blameworthy plotting like that of an unjust created being.
However, it is not correct to attribute “kayd” to Allah without qualification, nor should one say “Allah is Ka’id” in an unrestricted manner, nor should He be named “Al-Ka’id,” because this Name is not established in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
What is required is to affirm what has been revealed concerning Allah Almighty as it has been revealed, while declaring Him exalted above any resemblance to His creation.
And Allah knows best.