negation or on condition of absoluteness; such existence is found only in the mind, not in external reality. What, then, of absolute existence conditioned by negation? It is even further removed from existence than that conditioned by absoluteness. This is discussed at length elsewhere.

As for his statement, “Does His essence occupy space, or is it free of directions?”—this, too, is among their arguments against those who deny the attributes. For the divine scriptures describe Him as exalted and above, and do not deny that He is above the world, as those who deny the attributes claim.

Since the divine texts have made clear that He is the Most High, the Highest—to whom good words ascend, and righteous deeds raise them; to whom the angels and the Spirit ascend; from whom the Quran was sent down, and from whose presence the angels descend; who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne—and contain other statements showing that He is distinct from His creation and above them, what could make the intended meaning clearer than this?

As for the terms “occupying space” and “direction,” both admit more than one meaning. What those who deny the attributes intend by them differs from their meaning in ordinary language. Mutahayyiz (occupying space) is the active participle of tahayyaza–yatahayyazu (to occupy space), like ta‘awwadha (to seek refuge), takabbara (to behave arrogantly), tajabbara (to act tyrannically), and similar forms.

A hayyiz (space) is that which encloses