Moreover, the eternal One, whose existence is necessary in itself, is more perfect than whatever has come into being. It is therefore impossible for what is deficient alone to possess perfection.

They reply: “An inanimate thing is called neither living nor dead.” We have answered this objection in several ways elsewhere.

First: Their statement, “An inanimate thing is not called living; only what is capable of life is called dead,” is a matter of terminological convention. Otherwise, the Quran has called inanimate things dead in several passages, as in His words, exalted is He:

“And those they invoke besides Allah create nothing, but are themselves created.”

“They are dead, not alive, and do not perceive”—to the end of the verse.

Thus, He called idols dead, although they are stones. He also said:

“And a sign for them is the dead earth: We gave it life.”

(Second response: We do not concede that inanimate things are incapable of receiving this life. Rather, the Lord, exalted is He, has made them capable of life, and their receiving it is not impossible. Allah, exalted is He, turned Moses’ staff into a swiftly moving snake, demonstrating that wood can become a living creature. When Moses bathed, he placed his garment on a stone, and the stone fled with it. Allah also brought back to life the roasted fish that was with him and his young attendant. Pebbles glorified Allah, as did food—even while it was being eaten. A stone used to greet the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; the palm trunk cried out in longing; and the mountains glorified Allah with David. There are many similar examples. He, exalted is He, has said:

“There is nothing that does not glorify Him with praise.”

(Third response: It may be said: Grant that only what is capable of life can be described as dead. It is nevertheless known that what is capable of life is more perfect than what is incapable of it. Thus, the fetus in its mother’s womb, before the breathing