that was false. He is the leader and guide of the polytheists. None escapes him except those sincerely devoted to Allah, who affirm the attributes unique to Him and reserve worship for Him alone. As he said:

“By Your might, I will surely mislead them all, {82}
except Your chosen servants among them.” {83}
[Sād 82–83]

Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, he has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. {99}
His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who, through him, associate partners with Allah.” {100}
[al-Nahl 99–100]

This is a vast subject, but this is not the place to discuss it. They abstract the names and attributes of the one and those of the other, thus equating the two. They then abstract what the two have in common and affirm it as a reality existing outside the mind. They may even identify what they have abstracted in their minds and conceived within themselves with the reality existing outside the mind, as when they say, “He is everywhere in His essence,” or, “He is the very being and existence of