And this is a method acknowledged by rational people generally. Even the philosophers say: “Every perfection in an effect comes from its cause.” As for a fortiori reasoning, examples include His statement:

“To Allah belongs the highest description,”

and His statement:

“He sets forth for you an example drawn from yourselves: do you have, among those whom your right hands possess, any partners in what We have provided for you, such that you are equal in it, fearing them as you fear one another?”

These and similar passages indicate that every perfection free of deficiency established for an originated, created, contingent being belongs with greater reason to the eternal, necessarily existent Creator, because He has a greater claim to perfection by virtue of His superiority. The earlier method, by contrast, rests on His being the One who made that being perfect and bestowed those attributes upon it.

His name “the Most High” is explained in these two senses. It is explained as meaning that He is higher than all others in rank, and thus has a greater claim to the attributes of perfection. It is also explained as meaning that He is high above them in subjugation and mastery: that is, He exercises power over them, while they are subject to His power. This entails His being their Creator and Lord. Both meanings entail that He Himself is above everything, with nothing above Him, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“You are the First, and nothing is before You; You are the Last, and nothing is after You. You are the Manifest, and nothing is above You; You are the Inward, and nothing is nearer than You.”