this matter of paramount importance, nor any detailed explanation of what is explicitly required for affirming divine oneness. Rather, some of it is presented in language that outwardly suggests likeness to created beings, while some is expressed as an exceedingly general and unqualified declaration of divine transcendence, without specification or explanation.

As for reports expressed in terms of likeness to created beings, they are too numerous to count, though some people may decline to accept them. If this is how matters stand with divine oneness, what, then, of the doctrinal matters that come after it?

Some people may say:

The Arabs allow considerable latitude in speech and use figurative language. Expressions suggesting likeness to created beings—such as hand, face, coming in canopies of clouds, coming, going, laughter, shyness, and anger—are valid, but the manner of their use and the form of expression indicate that they are used metaphorically and figuratively.

He said: What indicates that they are used neither figuratively nor metaphorically, but rather