the Creator and the created: the Creator’s existence is unqualified, whereas the existence of the created is restricted.

[What Appears in the Book al-Dalīl wa-l-‘Ilm (Evidence and Knowledge)]

Ibn Tūmart stated in his book al-Dalīl wa-l-‘Ilm:

“What can be known falls into two categories: the nonexistent and the existent. The existent falls into two categories: absolute and restricted. The restricted is that which has been particularized. Distinctness takes three forms: first, being confined to one time rather than another; second, being confined to one direction rather than another; and third, possessing one particular characteristic rather than another ن. The absolute existent is that which is neither restricted nor particularized ن. Thus, it is not confined to one time rather than another, or to one direction rather than another, nor does it possess one particular characteristic rather than another. If it were distinguished by anything, it would belong to the same genus as that thing ن. Since particular characteristics are entirely excluded from it, absolute existence necessarily belongs to it.”

He said: “The absolute existent is the eternal, beginningless one for whom restrictions and particular characteristics are impossible, distinguished by unrestricted existence, without restriction or particularization.” He discussed the denial of distinctness until he said: “When finite things are alike in being confined to a determinate direction, their particularization cannot come from themselves or from a particularizer