drawing near is not intended. Thus, his statement, “Nearness is attained only through obedience and servitude,” has no bearing on the point in dispute and does not address the issue at hand.

Fourth, it may be said: Whether one draws near through worship and obedience or through something else, there must be someone or something to which one draws near, for nearness is inherently relational. Yet he has not identified which of these is the one to whom nearness is sought, either in the text or in his own discussion, so as to show that the text’s apparent meaning has been set aside. It is thus clear that his words are those of someone who has not grasped what he is saying.

Fifth, it may be said: If this drawing near is not to Allah Most High, then to whom is it? If he says, “To obedience and worship,” he is told: “Obedience and worship are the servant’s very act of drawing near. What is being asked about is that to which one draws near, not that by which one draws near. So what is this