the gravest evils and the acts most strictly forbidden by reason and religion. This is the greatest of sins. Rather, whatever praiseworthy and commendable attributes are established for another, He is more entitled to them and more worthy of them. Nor is He like that other in such negation and declaration of His transcendence.

We have already mentioned that this kind of rational analogy and illustrative comparison is what the Book of Allah Most High employs in matters of Lordship, when declaring Him free of partners, offspring, and the like. One example is the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

“Tell me, if your father owed a debt and you paid it, would that discharge it on his behalf?” He replied, “Yes.” The Prophet said, “Then pay what is owed to Allah, for Allah has a greater right to repayment.”

This meaning is conveyed in several authentic hadiths. Thus, since accepting one person’s discharge of another’s obligation