do not, therefore, take(1) their correlates(2) into the definition. By contrast, with relational meanings those very relations must appear within the definition, for they are intrinsic to the meaning itself and cannot be conceived apart from the correlates; thus the correlates(3) become part of the reality of the meaning, and it is therefore necessary(4) to mention them when defining it.
Praise (ḥamd) and gratitude (shukr) are two meanings that are tied(5) to the act for which praise or thanks is offered(6); the reality of each cannot be stated without referring to that object, so the object enters into their very essence.
Al-Ṣadr Ibn al-Murahhil(7) objected that nothing related derives a positive attribute from the thing to which it is related. Consequently, praise and gratitude do not draw any affirmative quality from their respective objects, for relation(8) is a relative property(9), and relations are non-entities; what is non-existent cannot be part of an essence, because non-existence can never constitute a portion of existence.