concerns classification by genus, for He, glorified is He, has no genus; nor of modality, which concerns form and shape, for He, glorified is He, is One, having neither form nor shape; nor of quantity, which concerns number, for He, glorified is He, is One, without number or multiplicity; nor of quantity understood as a question about a thing’s proof and cause. Exalted is Allah, mighty and majestic! Whatness, modality, and quantity are all denied of Allah.

For this reason, Moses, peace be upon him, turned aside from Pharaoh’s question when he asked him:

“And what is the Lord of all worlds?” (23)

Moses, peace be upon him, said:

“The Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them, if you have certainty.” (24)

Pharaoh’s question was misconceived: he asked about the genus of One who has neither genus nor limits. Moses, peace be upon him, judged him ignorant and therefore set his question aside without answering it. He then told him of Allah’s power and the greatness of His dominion and sovereignty, in terms that would counter his ignorance concerning the matter he had asked about and on which he awaited an answer,