infer this by analogy with human beings, but this does not follow from the apparent meaning of the wording. Likewise, nothing in the Quran’s apparent meaning indicates that the many eyes are in a single face, as he maintains. He says this only by analogy with the eyes that human beings have in their faces.

Third, where in the Quran’s apparent meaning is there any indication that Allah has only one shin and one side? For He says:

“Lest a soul should say, ‘Alas for my neglect of my duty to Allah!’” [al-Zumar 56]

And He says:

“On the Day when a shin is laid bare.” [al-Qalam 42]

Even assuming that this refers to attributes of Allah, nothing in the Quran requires that Allah have only one shin and one side. For even if it affirmed one side and one shin while saying nothing to exclude more, this would not constitute evidence of such exclusion, except according to those who accept the restrictive implication of a name or designation.

Whenever something is singled out for mention for a reason other than the statement’s exclusive application to it, it is undisputed that no such restrictive implication is intended. Nor was the purpose of the wording in these two verses to affirm the attribute, such that the intention would be to single out one of the two for mention. Rather, the intention may be to convey a different point, such as explaining the servant’s neglect and the servants’ prostration when a shin is laid bare. What is stated may apply specifically to the thing mentioned, and not to anything else, as when