and He is the Creator of hands. Yet His Face is nothing like the faces of His creatures, even though He is the Creator of every face. Likewise, His Self is unlike the selves of creation, for He is the Creator of all souls.

“Nothing resembles Him whatsoever; He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing” (Q 42:11).

I then said: Suppose someone asks, “Where is Allah, exalted is He?” The answer is: “Allah, exalted is He, existed when there was no place. Before He brought creation into being, Allah existed and there was no ‘where,’ nor anything created; yet He is the Creator of everything.”

If it is asked, “By means of what does one who wills, will what he wills?” say, “By the attribute.” He is Powerful—He acts by power; Knowing—He knows by knowledge; Sovereign—He possesses by sovereignty.

If it is further said, “Did He originate the very will, determine by the will, and will by knowledge?”