perfection, as we have explained in the book devoted to the commentary on “Say: He is Allah, the One” (1).
[Returning to the Discussion of the Term “Body”]
As for the term “body” (2), according to Arabic lexicographers—as stated by al-Asmaʿī, Abū Zayd, and others—a body is a physical form or bodily frame (3). Allah Most High says:
“When you see them, their bodies impress you; and when they speak, you listen to what they say.”
[Surah al-Munāfiqūn: 4]
And Allah Most High says:
“And He has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 247]
Thus, in the Arabic language, the term conveys thickness and density, much like the word “bodily form.” It may refer to the thick object itself or to its thickness. Thus, it is said, “This cloth has body,” meaning thickness and density; and, “This is more substantial than that,” meaning thicker and denser. (4)
The term “body” subsequently acquired a broader meaning in the technical usage of the speculative theologians. They call air and other subtle things (5) bodies, although the Arabs do not call such things bodies.
They disagree over what is called a body: Is it composed of discrete atoms, each of which has no distinguishable internal parts—either a finite number of atoms (6 as is held by most proponents of the indivisible atom, or an infinite number 6) (6), as is held by (7)