If we deny attributes of the Divine Essence, does that denial itself impose a limitation on God?
«To deny attributes of the Divine Essence is simply to deny the attributes themselves and what they entail. Priority and finality are denied of the Divine Essence so that God’s supremacy over them may be affirmed. This does not imply any limitation of the Divine Essence; rather, it underscores God’s transcendence beyond every attribute and description.»
Question: If we accept the denial of attributes in the case of the Divine Essence, then, when denying priority and finality of His Essence—qualities regarded as His attributes—are we not, God forbid, affirming that the Divine Essence is limited?
The discussion concerns denying attributes of the Divine Essence, not denying the attributes themselves alone while retaining what they entail.
In creating time, the Creator of existence affirmed what is beyond time and denied priority in the sense of having a beginning. Alongside this, the attributes of First and Last are denied of the Divine Essence, while His supremacy over priority is affirmed.
Any necessary connection between creation and created things—even an incidental one—is incompatible with the pre-eternity of the Divine Essence. Allah truly created all things from nothing.
The Divine Essence is exalted above every description and act of describing, and is itself free of any attribute.
Denying attributes and all their instances is a condition for complete sincerity in affirming God’s oneness. ضَلَّتْ فِيكَ الصِّفَاتُ، وَ تَفَسَّخَتْ دُونَكَ النُّعُوتُ، وَ حَارَتْ فِي كِبْرِيَائِكَ لَطَائِفُ الْأَوْهَام