Chapter

As for the polytheists’ claim:

“His greatness and majesty require that He be approached only through an intermediary and from behind a veil, and that approaching Him without these would detract [that is, constitute a lowering and diminution. See Mukhtār al-Sihāh, entry gh-d-d] from His exalted majesty,”

this is false for several reasons.

One is that whoever can be approached only through intermediaries and veils must either be capable of hearing the words of his soldiers and meeting their needs without such intermediaries and veils, or be incapable of doing so. If he is incapable, this is a deficiency. Allah Most High, however, is characterized by perfection. He must therefore be characterized as hearing His servants’ words without intermediaries, answering their supplications, and showing them kindness without needing any veil. If a king is capable of conducting his affairs without a veil, and dispensing with it is an act of kindness and mercy, then this is an attribute of perfection.

Moreover, the claim that this detracts from Him applies only to one whom created beings can harm and who depends upon them for his own benefit. But when His power is perfect, He is entirely independent of them, and no harm from them can reach Him, their drawing near to Him does not detract from Him.

Rather, if there are two persons, one of whom allows the weak to draw near to him out of kindness toward them and does not fear them,