relations are accidents existing in external reality is that the concept of a human being’s fatherhood in relation to another is distinct from his particular essence. This is demonstrated by the fact that one can conceive of his essence without considering his being a father and a son; what is known is distinct from what is not known. Moreover, his essence can exist without fatherhood or sonship, as in the case of Jesus, peace be upon him, who was neither a father to anyone nor a son of any male. What exists is distinct from what does not exist. Thus, his being a father and a son is distinct from his particular essence.

Now, this distinct attribute must be either negative or positive. The former is false, because the absence of fatherhood is the negative attribute, and fatherhood negates it; what negates nonexistence is existence. It is thus established that