two things existing in the observable realm fall under one of these three categories—namely, an accident, an indivisible atom, or a composite body—must necessarily be grounded in existence. It would therefore follow that the Creator, exalted is He, must fall under one of these three categories. Yet these people deny this, since, according to them, He, exalted is He, is neither an accident, nor an atom, nor a composite body made up of parts and portions.

Fifth: Anything posited as existing alongside the world must be either equal to the world in magnitude, greater than it, or smaller than it. The division of what exists in the observable realm into these three categories is a judgment that must have a cause, and that cause can only be existence. Since the Creator, exalted is He, exists, He must therefore fall under one of these three categories. Yet these people do not accept this. What we have stated thus establishes that this specious argument is refuted.

He said: “Know that we have discussed this specious argument at such length only because these people rely on it and regard it as a decisive proof. Yet, after taking great care to refine it and set it out, we have raised against it these objections