by way of example, to help the questioner understand, just as an interpreter who is asked “What is bread?” points to a particular item as an illustration.

Abū Bakr al-Bayhaqī said in his book al-Asmā’ wa-l-Sifāt (The Names and Attributes), explaining His name al-Samad:

“Al-Halīmī said: ‘It means the One to whom people turn with their needs—that is, the One they seek to fulfil those needs. This may also be said in