‘God’s most distinctive attribute is a state He possesses that entails His being living, knowing, and powerful.’” He said: “This is an obscure statement with no explanation.”

He said: “As for the scholars of our school, some said that His reality is His transcendence above any affinity with originated things in respect of connections. Others said that His reality is His self-sufficiency, while others said that His reality is His subsistence in Himself without limit.” He said: “These expressions point to the absence of need.”

The teacher—meaning Abū Ishāq—said: “God’s reality is a perfect attribute that entails His transcendence above any affinity with originated things.” Abū al-Ma‘ālī said: