and affirms a distinction between the one who knows it and the one who does not. His subsequent statement, “Whoever affirms something other has no monotheism,” contradicts this.

His statement, “Monotheism cannot be properly expressed,” is unbelief by the consensus of Muslims. Allah has expressed His oneness, and His Messenger has expressed it. The Quran is filled with references to monotheism; indeed, it was to proclaim monotheism that Allah sent the messengers and revealed the scriptures. The Most High says:

“And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Have We appointed gods besides the Most Merciful to be worshipped?”

The Most High also says:

“And We sent no messenger before you without revealing to him: There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.”

If monotheism could not be properly expressed, no one would ever have spoken of it. Yet the finest words anyone has ever uttered are the affirmation of monotheism, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The best remembrance is ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,’ and the best supplication is ‘Praise be to Allah.’”

He also said:

“Whoever’s last words are ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah’ will enter Paradise.”

However, the monotheism to which these heretics refer—namely, the unity of existence—is inherently impossible: its realization in external reality is inconceivable. Concrete, individual oneness cannot apply to two distinct things. Existence is one only in kind, meaning that the designation ‘existent’ is a general designation encompassing every existent, just as the designations ‘body,’ ‘human being,’ and the like encompass every body and every human being. This body is not that body, and this human being is not that human being. Likewise, this existence is not that existence.