Some people suppose that “majesty” refers to negative attributes and “honor” to affirmative attributes, as al-Rāzī and others have stated. The correct understanding is that both refer to affirmative attributes, and affirming perfection entails negating its opposites. What is mentioned, however, comprises two kinds of affirmative attributes: those for which He deserves to be loved and those for which He deserves to be revered. Thus, He says:

“Indeed, Allah is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy.”

And Solomon, peace be upon him, said:

“Indeed, my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Generous.”

Likewise, He says:

“His is the dominion, and His is the praise.”

Many who possess dominion and wealth are not praised but condemned, for praise entails speaking of the one praised in terms of his lovable, excellent qualities. It thus entails speaking of the beloved’s excellent qualities out of love for him. Conversely, many who receive some measure of praise and love suffer from incapacity, weakness, and lowliness incompatible with greatness, self-sufficiency, and dominion. The former is held in awe and feared, but not loved; the latter is loved and praised, but neither held in awe nor feared. Perfection lies in combining both qualities. As a report states:

“The believer has been granted sweetness and awe-inspiring dignity.”

And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was described as follows:

“Whoever saw him for the first time stood in awe of him, and whoever came to know him through close association loved him.”

Thus, glorification is paired with praise, and affirming Allah’s sole right to worship is paired with declaring His greatness, as in the words of the call to prayer.

Moreover, each of the two kinds includes the other when mentioned on its own. Glorifying and praising Allah entail reverence and affirming the qualities for which He is praised. This entails His divinity, for divinity entails His being loved; indeed, it entails that none but He deserves perfect love. Praise consists in describing the one praised by the attributes for which he deserves to be loved. Thus, divinity