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As for the statement, “The Hashwiyya are of two kinds: one does not shrink from hashw, likening Allah to creation, or ascribing a body to Him; the other conceals itself behind the way of the early generations. Yet the way of the early generations consists only of affirming Allah’s oneness and declaring Him free of imperfection, not likening Him to creation or ascribing a body to Him”—all proponents of innovation likewise claim this for themselves. As the poet said:

Each claims a bond of love with Laylā,
Yet Laylā acknowledges none of their claims.

This statement contains both truth and falsehood. Among its true elements is the condemnation of those who liken Allah to His creatures and regard His attributes as being of the same kind as theirs.

Allah Most High has said:

“There is nothing like Him.”

And He Most High has said:

“Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

And He has said:

“Do you know of any equal to Him?”

We have discussed this at length and presented the rational proofs indicated by the Book of Allah that negate such likeness. We have explained aspects of this that the deniers of the divine attributes, who present themselves as upholding Allah’s freedom from imperfection, have not mentioned—arguments neither found in their books nor heard from their leading authorities. Indeed, most of the arguments they offer are weak, because they seek to establish both truth and falsehood; no consistently valid proof can therefore be established for that