the Judge is that unity is an affirmative attribute and, moreover, an attribute of the essence.’

Abū al-Ma‘ālī said: ‘If it is asked, “Explain the meaning of monotheism,” the reply is: By this expression, the theologians mean belief in God’s oneness and the affirmation of it.’

Abū al-Ma‘ālī often says, ‘The monotheists have said,’ meaning these people. Ibn al-Tūmart followed his usage of the term ‘monotheists’, but in his Murshida he did not mention the affirmative attributes upheld by Abū al-Ma‘ālī and others like him. Rather, he confined himself to negative attributes and judgments.