respect, and imply absolute perfection in every respect, for when imperfection is negated, all perfection is affirmed.1 He is therefore the Holy, the Exalted, free from every evil, from resemblance to any of His creatures, from imperfection, and from everything incompatible with His perfection. This is the governing principle concerning what must be denied of Him: He is free from every imperfection in every respect, and He is exalted far above having any peer, likeness, equal, counterpart, rival, or opposite. He is also free from any deficiency in any of His attributes, which are the most perfect, greatest, and most all-encompassing attributes.

Fully declaring Him free from these things requires affirming His attributes of majesty and greatness. For declaring Him free from imperfection serves a further purpose: to safeguard His perfection against evil assumptions, such as the assumptions of those steeped in ignorance who think ill of Him, entertaining thoughts unworthy of His majesty. When a servant praises his Lord by saying, “Glory be to Allah,” “Holy is Allah,” “Exalted is Allah,” or similar expressions, he is praising Him by declaring Him free from every imperfection and affirming every perfection for Him.”2.