in numbers many, many times greater than among those who affirm His attributes. We have ourselves seen and heard so much of this that there is not room here to mention even a tenth of it. Thus, they are the most conceited and arrogant of people: one of them may conceitedly imagine himself to be Allah, and they glorify Pharaoh for saying:

“I am your most exalted lord (24).” [al-Nāziʿāt: 24]

“I know of no god for you other than myself.” [al-Qasas: 38]

Such false conceit is the most corrupt conceit and the gravest fabrication against Allah. Exalted is Allah, far above what they say!

But if he means that He is contrary to what the prophets and those who believe in Him affirm, believe, suppose, conceive, and imagine Him to be, or to what they say of Him and how they describe and characterize Him, then this is false. Their belief concerning Him is true and corresponds to reality, even if it is called supposition or something similar. As Allah Most High says:

“Seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is burdensome except for the humbly submissive (45), who are certain that they will meet their Lord.” [al-Baqarah: 45-46]

And He says:

“As for the one given his record in his right hand, he will say, ‘Here, read my record! (19) Indeed, I was certain that I would face my reckoning (20).’” [al-Hāqqah: 19-20]

In an authentic hadith, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Allah says: ‘I am in accordance with the expectation