If, however, by “parts and portions” he means what the speculative theologians mean by “body” and “composition”—which is indeed what he intended, since in their view every body has portions and parts, either actually, according to those who affirm the indivisible atom, or potentially, according to those who deny it—then he should be told:

“This is like what the philosophers and the Muʿtazilites mean by ‘parts’: the attributes subsisting in Him. They say that He has neither definitional parts nor quantitative parts. In their view, species are composed of a genus—their common component—and a differentia—their distinctive component. If this is what you mean, then the Hanbalis undoubtedly belong to those who affirm the divine attributes. They agree that He possesses knowledge, power, and life. Thus, the disagreement found among them is the same as that found among the other proponents of the divine attributes.”