absolute self-sufficiency, and the like; or whether it is a perfection some form of which may be affirmed of a created being. In the latter case, the form affirmed of the Creator is greater than that affirmed of the created being—with a greatness exceeding the superiority of the highest created beings over the lowest.

In summary, created beings are blameworthy for pride and self-exaltation, and sometimes for praising themselves, and the like.

As for the questioner’s statement:

“If you say, ‘We set aside the subject to which the attribute pertains and consider the attribute itself: is it a perfection or a deficiency?’ we likewise maintain that it is impossible to judge it as either, since, as mentioned, it may be a perfection for one essence and a deficiency for another.”

The response is:

Rather, we say that every perfection whose existence is possible and which contains no deficiency is an absolute perfection in everything characterized by it.

Moreover, a perfection belonging to an existent insofar as it exists cannot be a deficiency in some instances. For whatever is deficient in some instances and perfect in others is a perfection for one kind of existent but not another; hence, it is not a perfection belonging to an existent insofar as it exists.

Among the ways by which this may be known is to suppose two existents: one characterized by this attribute and the other by its opposite. It will then become evident which of them is more perfect. If it is said, “This one is more perfect in one respect but more deficient in another,” then it is not an absolute perfection.

Allah knows best. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah bless our master Muhammad and his family and grant them peace.