and in whatever is impossible; yet, they say, that very attribute is impossible for Him.
But if one takes this line, his denial of tashbih (anthropomorphic likening) really rests on denying tajsīm (corporeality); the root of his negation is thus the repudiation of corporeality. That is a different approach, one we shall address, God willing.
The sound path of negation comprises:
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Negating deficiency
What concerns us here is that relying solely on the claim of “no resemblance” to negate an attribute is fruitless, for any two things resemble each other in some respect and differ in another. The correct method is to negate deficiency, defect, and every imperfection from which the Lord—exalted is He—is utterly sanctified. That approach is valid. -
Denying any likeness in the attributes of perfection
Likewise, when we affirm for Him the attributes of perfection while denying that anyone else shares those attributes with Him, we are rejecting resemblance in matters that rightly belong to Him alone. This is the very essence of tawḥīd: that nothing whatsoever shares with Him any of His unique prerogatives. Every attribute of perfection belongs to Him in a manner in which no one resembles Him. For this reason, the doctrine of the early generations of the ummah and its foremost scholars was to affirm whatever attributes He has ascribed to Himself while denying that any creature resembles Him therein.