al-Hikam” and “al-Futūhāt al-Makkiyya.” They say, “The necessary, eternal being is identical with the originated, contingent being.” Thus Ibn ‘Arabī says in “Fusūs al-Hikam”:

“Among His most beautiful names is ‘the Most High.’ Above whom, when there is none but Him? And beyond what, when He is nothing other than Himself? His elevation is therefore intrinsic to Him, and in respect of existence He is identical with existing things. Thus, the things called ‘originated beings’ are intrinsically exalted and are none other than Him.”

He goes on to say:

“The one who is intrinsically exalted is the one who possesses all attributes of existence and all relations of nonexistence, whether praiseworthy according to custom, reason, and revealed law, or blameworthy according to custom, reason, and revealed law. This is none other than the one named Allah.”

Thus, according to him, He is described by every blameworthy quality just as He is described by every praiseworthy quality. These people rank some created things above Him, for some created things, such as the heavens, are described as elevated but not low. Whatever is described as elevated but not low is superior to that which is not described as elevated, or which is described as both elevated and low.

Pharaoh said:

“I am your lord, the most high.”

Ibn ‘Arabī said: