through numerous independent reports is their rejection of this usage and their condemnation of those who employ it. In condemning it, they explicitly denounced such terminology as “body” and “accident.” In particular, their denunciation of the Jahmiyyah, who speak in this manner and similar terms [هـ] concerning Allah Most High, far exceeded their discussion and denunciation of those who liken Allah to creation, since the latter cause less harm. For Allah sent the messengers with detailed affirmation and general negation. They proclaimed that He knows all things and has power over all things; that He is All-Hearing, All-Seeing; that He loves and hates, speaks, is pleased and becomes angry; that He rose over the Throne; and all the other things conveyed by the messengers.

Regarding negation, they said what Allah said:

“There is nothing like Him.” [al-Shūrā: 11]

“And there is none comparable to Him (4).” [al-Ikhlās: 4]

“Do you know of anyone equal to Him (65)?” [Maryam: 65]

“So do not set up rivals to Allah.” [al-Baqarah: 22]

Their opponents in this matter—the polytheists and those who agree with them among the philosophizing Sabians and their like—offer detailed negation and general affirmation. They use ambiguous expressions that may negate both falsehood [و] and truth. Thus they say:

“He is neither a body, nor a substance, nor an accident; He is neither divisible, nor assembled, nor composite; He is not bounded, nor does He have a limit or an end; He is neither inside the world nor outside it; He is neither this nor that.”

They continue until they have negated everything the heart can know. Then, when asked to make an affirmation concerning Him, they say, “Absolute existence,” and the like. Thus they affirm something that can exist only in minds, not in external reality,