the world, for if (1) volitions had nothing willed for its own sake (2)—whereas anything willed is willed either for itself or for something else, and whatever is willed for something else (3) requires that other thing itself to be willed—the matter must ultimately terminate in something willed for itself.

Just as an infinite regress among efficient causes is impossible, so too is (4) an infinite regress among final causes. It may be thought that, by this line of reasoning, the ancient philosophers—Aristotle and his followers—affirmed the First (5). Yet they affirmed Him only in respect of His being (6) a final cause. Those philosophers, however, regarded Him as a final cause in the sense of striving to resemble Him (7). Hence they said, “Philosophy is striving to resemble (8) God to the extent of one’s capacity.” They did not regard Him as the One worshipped and loved for His own sake, as the messengers taught.

For this reason, those of later generations who practiced worship and Sufism according to their way would fall into claiming lordship and divinity (9), thereby exhibiting a kind of Pharaonic tendency. Indeed, some of them even exalt Pharaoh and prefer him to Moses—peace be upon him—(10), as may be found in the words of a group among them.