Is existence identical with quiddity, or is it something added to it?

Knowledge of the attributes presents this difficulty:
Are the attributes additional to the Essence or not?

Knowledge of the acts presents this difficulty:
Is the act concurrent with the Essence, or does it come after it?

Then he said: “Who has reached this threshold, or tasted this drink?”

Then he recited:

Reason’s bold advance ends in fetters,
And most human striving goes astray.
Our souls feel estranged from our bodies,
And our worldly life yields only suffering and misery.
From a lifetime of inquiry we have gained nothing
But a collection of ‘It was said’ and ‘They said.’

“I have considered the methods of speculative theology and the approaches of philosophy, but have found that they neither heal the sick nor quench the thirst of the thirsty. I have found the most direct path to be that of the Quran. For affirmation, read:

‘The Most Merciful established Himself above the Throne.’
[Tā Hā: 5]

‘To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it.’
[Fātir: 10]

And for negation, read:

‘There is nothing like unto Him.’
[al-Shūrā: 11]

‘They do not encompass Him in knowledge.’
[Tā Hā: 110]

‘Do you know of any equal to Him?’
[Maryam: 65]

Whoever has experienced what I have experienced will know what I know.”