Is it permissible to describe Allah Almighty as "a thing" (shay') as a statement of fact, citing as evidence the verse: "Say, 'What thing is greatest in testimony?' Say, 'Allah'," and His saying: "Allah is the Creator of all things"? And is it valid to supplicate with "O Most Generous of Things"?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against argumentation, especially for those who lack sufficient knowledge from the Qur'an and Sunnah (definition). It is permissible to supplicate with non-transmitted prayers as long as they do not contain a legal prohibition. Linguistically and conventionally, "shay'" (thing) means "existent." Allah Himself referred to Himself as "shay'" in the Noble Qur'an, and the Noble Qur'an was also described as "shay'." It is permissible to apply the description of "shay'" to Allah Almighty and His attributes, because every existent can be described as a "shay'." This is not among the Beautiful Names of Allah, but rather for informing. There is a distinction between supplicating with it and informing about it; the former is tawqifi (restricted to divine texts), while the latter is more general. And His saying, "Allah is the Creator of all things," is specified by reason, for Allah did not create Himself nor His attributes.