for the kind of perfection that belongs to the Creator surpasses what belongs to the created being by more than the highest of created beings surpasses the lowest. “The upshot of this” is that a created being is blameworthy for arrogance, domineering pride, and, at times, self-praise, and similar things.

As for the questioner’s statement:

“If you say, ‘We set aside the subject to which the attribute pertains and consider whether the attribute is a perfection or a deficiency,’ we likewise deem it impossible to judge it to be either, since it may be a perfection for one being and a deficiency for another, as mentioned.”

The reply is:

Rather, we say that a perfection involving no deficiency for a contingently existing being is an absolute perfection for everything that possesses it. Moreover, a perfection that constitutes perfection for an existent being—simply insofar as it exists—cannot constitute a deficiency in some instances. For whatever constitutes a deficiency in some instances and a perfection in others is a perfection for one kind of existent being but not another. It therefore cannot be a perfection for an existent being simply insofar as it exists.

One way to establish this is to suppose two existent beings, one possessing this attribute and the other its opposite. It then becomes apparent which of them is more perfect. If it is said, “This is more perfect in one respect but less perfect in another,” then it is not an absolute perfection.

Allah knows best. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless our master Muhammad and his family, and grant them peace.