other than this: just as “the Unique” is used to deny composition and combination within the essence, it may also be used to deny any opposite or peer. If He—exalted is He—were an indivisible atom, every indivisible atom would be His likeness, which would negate His being the Unique. They reinforced this argument with His saying:

“And there is none comparable to Him.” {4} [al-Ikhlās 4]

If He were an indivisible atom, every indivisible atom would be comparable to Him.

It may be said in reply: This reasoning is available to everyone, those who deny the existence of atoms and others alike. Anyone can use it just as these people can. Moreover, what this proof seeks to establish—namely, that He is not an indivisible atom—is something upon which all creatures agree. Indeed, it is known by rational necessity that the Lord of the heavens and the earth is not the size of an indivisible atom. According to those who affirm its existence, an indivisible atom is something no one can perceive with the senses because of its minuteness; it is smaller than