what necessarily applies to Allah. Thus, they associated partners with Allah and denied His attributes in their wording, just as they did in their meanings, as has been pointed out more than once.

They are like someone who calls the Rahmān of al-Yamāmah “the All-Merciful,” then tells people, “I disbelieve in the All-Merciful,” giving them the impression that the Rahmān of al-Yamāmah is a disbeliever in the All-Merciful who is above the Throne. Or like someone who calls idols “gods” and “the God,” then tells the believers, “I have worshipped the God and invoked the God,” while meaning only the idol. Or like [someone who calls] Allah al-Lāt