and ‘composite’ is merely a rejection of the wording itself, although he believes in its meaning. It is thus established that they applied the term ‘body’ to Him only because they believed Him, exalted is He, to have length, depth, and breadth, and to extend in spatial directions. It is therefore established that their refusal to say this is due solely to dissimulation and fear; in reality, they believe Him, exalted is He, to be composite and composed of parts. This concludes the discussion in the first part of this book, the part comprising the rational arguments.

There are several points to make in response to this. First, the view that a body is an existent that subsists in itself, or simply an existent, is held by leading corporealists such as Hishām ibn al-Hakam