is a deficiency. In his objections to the argument, he said: “Even if we concede that the opposite of hearing and sight is a deficiency, why do you say that deficiency is impossible for Allah?” He said: “Know that the best argument offered to establish this premise rests on consensus. On this basis, the proof becomes scriptural, since the authority of consensus is established either by Quranic verses or by prophetic reports. This being so, it would be better to rely from the outset on the verses indicating that He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing, rather than pursue this lengthy method.”

Yet consensus has not been reached concerning specific matters; rather, every Muslim declares Allah free of whatever he believes to be a deficiency. This being so, the question of direction is greatly disputed among people. Most Muslims—indeed, most of humanity, as well as the early generations of the Muslim community and its leading scholars—affirm that Allah Most High is above the world and over the Throne. If this were a deficiency, there would be no consensus on denying it. You have claimed that reason rules out deficiency in Him, yet you have no proof, either rational or scriptural, for denying what you have called a deficiency. Nor is your statement, “That is impossible,” valid. This would be so even if what you have called a deficiency were unremitting;