The Difference Between Likening Allah to Creation and Denial of the Divine Attributes

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner asks: What is the difference between likening Allah to creation (tashbih) and denial of the divine attributes (ta'til)?

Answer:
Denial of the divine attributes (ta'til) is negation, while likening Allah to creation (tashbih) is affirmation and exaggeration in affirmation. They affirm the names and attributes of Allah and say they are like the names and attributes of the created beings, with no difference between them. This is likening and comparing. As for denial of the divine attributes (ta'til), it means negation. They say Allah has no names or attributes, but He is described only by actions; this is pure negation. Or they affirm some things and negate others. This is the meaning of denial of the divine attributes (ta'til); ta'til is negation.