in himself: he does not become agitated and fall apart when angry, for that is weakness and frailty. Hence it is related: “When he saw that he was hollow, he knew that he was a creature unable to control himself.” One says, “I could not help doing such-and-such,” meaning, “I could not control myself.” As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.”

What is hollow is divided and cannot hold itself together; thus it can neither stand firm nor be stable in itself, let alone be something that others seek and turn towards. As has been said concerning the name al-Qayyūm: “He is self-subsisting and sustains others.” Thus, for anyone called samad, being samad for others presupposes being samad in himself. This is indicated by their calling a forbearing, self-possessed man samad