He is the Creator of hands, yet His hand is unlike the hands of created beings. His face is unlike the faces of His creatures, and He is the Creator of every face. His self is not like the selves of His creatures, for He is the Creator of all souls. ‘There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing’ (Q 42:11).

I said: If someone were to ask, “Where is Allah, Exalted is He?” he should be told: “Allah existed when there was no place. Before He created the creation, Allah existed and there was no ‘where.’ He has created all things, and He is the Creator of everything.”

If it is then asked, “By what did the One who wills bring about what is willed?” say: “By His attribute.” He is All-Powerful; He exercises power by virtue of His power. He is All-Knowing; He knows by virtue of His knowledge. He is the Sovereign; He possesses by virtue of His dominion.

And if it is further asked, “Did He will the very act of willing, determine by means of will, and will by means of knowledge?”