the other [premise],” and they call it an enthymeme. If there are (1) three or four premises, they say, “These (2) are syllogisms, not a single syllogism.” This is merely an arbitrary convention and assertion, resting on neither a rational principle nor any universal practice. We have discussed this at length in our treatment of logic (3) and elsewhere] (4).

He—Glorified is He—said:

“Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some of them would have sought supremacy over others.”

[Surah al-Mu’minūn: 91]

This necessary consequence does not obtain, and so its antecedent is negated—namely, the existence of a god alongside Allah.

To explain this entailment: if there were another god alongside Him, it would be impossible for that god to create the universe independently, whereas Allah Most High (5) creates the universe independently. As stated previously (6), every rational person knows by necessity that this is impossible and that it combines two contradictories.

It would likewise be impossible for him to be the other’s partner and helper, for that would entail both of them being incapable. One who is incapable can do nothing and therefore can be neither a lord (7) nor a god. If either of them were capable only with the other’s assistance, he would necessarily be incapable when alone; and it would be impossible for him to be capable when they were together, because this would constitute a circle of prior dependence. One of them would not be capable until the other made him capable or assisted him, while the latter (8) would neither make him capable nor