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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discursive Theology Volume 1 Lesson 19: Negative Attributes (Al-Ṣifāt al-Salbiyyah) In view of the fact that God is the Necessary Being by essence, the Indivisible Existent and the Pure Perfection, He does not lack any attribute of perfection. On this basis, the Negative Attributes with respect to God does not mean negation of perfection.

In fact, the Negative Attributes of God denote negation of defect and deficiency [in Him] and since defect and deficiency have a negative connotation, negation of defect and deficiency is tantamount to the negation of negation (or double negation) which end result is positive. That is, in reality, the Negative Attributes of God express the affirmation of existential perfections [in Him]. Meanwhile, all defects and deficiencies are derived from contingence ( imkān ) and indigence ( faqr ).

For example, when we say that God is not a substance ( jawhar ), it is because to be a substance implies three things. One is that it does not depend on others [for its existence] in contrast to an ontic quality ( ‘arḍ ) and another is that it has quiddity ( māhiyyah ). The third implication is that its existence is limited ( maḥdūd ).

That which can be negated from God are the last two implications, while the fact that God does not depend on others [in His existence] is in itself one of the Attributes of Perfection, and it cannot be negated. ^2 In books of theology, some Negative Attributes which are the point of disputes, believed by some individuals, or considered an integral part of beliefs of some sects and religions have been discussed.

Among them is [the belief in] a partner, similarity and composition in the Divine Essence. These attributes have been mentioned in the discussion concerning the Divine Unity ( tawḥīd ) and there is no need to deal with them again. We shall examine here other Negative Attributes: Corporeality ( jasmāniyyah ).