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Al-Rāzī said:

“The eighth proof: If the Creator’s elevation above the world were a matter of spatial location and direction, the elevation of that direction would be more perfect than the Creator’s elevation. For if Allah’s Essence were assumed to be situated to the right or left of the world, He would not be described as being above the world. Yet that direction which lies above cannot be conceived as existing without this elevation. Thus, it is established that this direction is intrinsically above the world, whereas whatever occupies that direction is above the world not intrinsically, but by virtue of occupying that elevated direction. This would then entail that the Creator is intrinsically deficient and attains perfection through something other than Himself, which is impossible. It is therefore established that His elevation above the world cannot be a matter of direction and spatial location, which is what was to be proved.”

This argument may be addressed in several ways. First, it may be asked: Who has said that the Creator’s elevation above the world is something existent and separate from Him, or that it is due to anything separate from Him at all? This