Explanation of the author's statement: "The second point: that one should say to him: Do you not believe that Allah has a Self that does not resemble the Self of the created beings?
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The Shaykh :"The second point: that one should say to him: Do you not believe that Allah has a Self that does not resemble the Self of the created beings? He will then say: Yes. It will then be said to him: Then believe that Allah has attributes that do not resemble the attributes of the created beings, for the statement regarding the attributes is like the statement regarding the Self. And whoever distinguishes between them has contradicted himself".
Now we are arguing with the one who likens Allah to creation. We say: Do you believe that Allah has a Self that does not resemble the Selves of created beings? He will say?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, he says: Yes, I believe that.
So we say: If you believe that He has a Self that does not resemble the Selves of created beings, then believe that He has attributes that do not resemble the attributes of created beings? Why? Because the attribute of every described being is fitting for it. For example, the camel is strong, and its strength is stronger than that of a human. The ant is strong, and its strength is? Less than the strength of a human. It is not strong in the strength that is fitting for it; it is strong in the strength that is fitting for it, but does its strength resemble the strength of a human? It does not resemble it. Why? Because the strength of every thing is proportionate to it. So likewise, the strength of the Creator cannot be similar to the strength of the created. And we say the same regarding the rest of the attributes.
Now we are arguing with the one who likens Allah to creation. We say: Do you believe that Allah has a Self that does not resemble the Selves of created beings? He will say?
The student: No.
The Shaykh : No, he says: Yes, I believe that.
So we say: If you believe that He has a Self that does not resemble the Selves of created beings, then believe that He has attributes that do not resemble the attributes of created beings? Why? Because the attribute of every described being is fitting for it. For example, the camel is strong, and its strength is stronger than that of a human. The ant is strong, and its strength is? Less than the strength of a human. It is not strong in the strength that is fitting for it; it is strong in the strength that is fitting for it, but does its strength resemble the strength of a human? It does not resemble it. Why? Because the strength of every thing is proportionate to it. So likewise, the strength of the Creator cannot be similar to the strength of the created. And we say the same regarding the rest of the attributes.