—namely His majesty and His light, as transmitted by al-Khalil and Abu ‘Ubayd. He further related that ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud said, “The light of the heavens comes from the light of His Face.”

He then added: “Among the explicit texts is the affirmation that He is Living,” and he quoted the verse, “the Ever-Living, the Sustainer” (2:255), together with the supplication: “O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek relief.”