is pure non-existence, and what is pure non-existence, as the saying goes, is nothing at all—much less something worthy of praise or perfection. For pure negation can equally be predicated of what does not exist or of what is impossible, and the non-existent and the impossible are never described with praise or perfection.

[Qur’anic verses illustrating this]

Hence, most of the negations by which Allah describes Himself actually contain an implicit affirmation of commendable qualities, as in His words: “Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer; neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep …” and His saying, “… nor does preserving them weary Him” (2:255).

The negation of drowsiness and sleep implies the perfection of His life and self-subsistence, thereby clarifying the fullness of His being the Ever-Living, the Sustainer.

Likewise, His words “nor does preserving them weary Him”—meaning that it neither troubles nor burdens Him—necessarily indicate the absolute completeness of His power. This contrasts with a created being who can only accomplish something with effort and hardship; such strain betrays a shortcoming in his power and a flaw in his strength.

Similarly, the verse “Not even the weight of an atom in the heavens or on earth escapes Him” (34:3) shows that denying any escape necessarily entails His knowledge of every atom in the heavens and the earth.

And the verse “We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them in six days, and no weariness touched Us” (50:38) likewise demonstrates that the absence of weariness