Section

As for methods of affirmation, it is likewise clear that merely denying resemblance is not enough to establish what is being affirmed. If it were enough, it would be permissible to ascribe to Him—glory be to Him—almost innumerable bodily parts and actions that are impossible for Him, while denying resemblance. It would also be permissible to ascribe to Him deficiencies that cannot be attributed to Him, while denying resemblance—as when someone fabricates claims about Him by ascribing to Him weeping, sorrow, hunger, and thirst while denying resemblance.

Such a fabricator might say:

“He eats, but not as His servants eat; He drinks, but not as they drink; He weeps and grieves, but not as they weep and grieve—just as it is said, ‘He laughs, but not as they laugh; He rejoices, but not as they rejoice; and He speaks, but not as they speak.’”

It would likewise be permissible to say:

“He has many bodily parts, but not like theirs—just as it is said, ‘He has a face, but not like their faces, and two hands, but not like their hands.’”

This could extend even to mentioning a stomach, intestines, a male organ, and other things far beneath the majesty of Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Glory be to Him! Exalted is He far above what the wrongdoers say.

For someone who denies these things while affirming the attributes known through revelation and other attributes would be asked:

“What is the difference between these things and what you have affirmed, if you deny resemblance and consider that denial alone sufficient for affirmation?”

There must, therefore, be a distinction between them in reality.