—and of His names and attributes: nothing whatsoever resembles Him. The innovators among the Jahmiyyah, the Muʿtazilah, and the Ashʿarīs—though they differ in degree—have all denied this aspect of faith.

As for the author’s phrase, “We say,” it means: the people of Sunnah and the Community declare, concerning the oneness of Allah and—by His enabling grace—hold as their creed that “Allah is One, without partner.” Creed, monotheism, and faith are synonymous; call it ‘aqīdah, tawḥīd, or īmān, the meaning is the same even if the labels vary.

His addition, “by Allah’s enabling grace,” is an act of submission to Allah, an appeal to Him, and a renunciation of all independent power and might. A person does not ascribe purity to himself; rather he says, “by Allah’s grace,” “by Allah’s will,” “by Allah’s power.” Such is the etiquette of the scholars—may Allah have mercy on them.

The statement “Allah is One, without partner” is the essence of tawḥīd: He is unique in His lordship, unique in His godhood, and unique in His names and attributes. This is taken from the divine words, “There is nothing like Him” (Q 42: 11); “There is none comparable to Him” (Q 112: 4); and “Do not set up rivals to Allah” (Q 2: 22), meaning peers or equals. Likewise, “Do you know of any who is His equal?” (Q 19: 65)—that is, anyone who matches or rivals Him. Thus all forms of likening or anthropomorphism are negated with respect to Allah.

None of His creation resembles Him. What is obligatory is to affirm for Allah whatever He has affirmed for Himself, to believe in it, and never to liken or equate Him with any of His creatures—exalted is He.