When we discuss something or someone, we describe its characteristics. Without describing the attributes, it is not possible to explain anything that exists. The collection of certain characteristics is what we call a thing. When we describe the material forms, we say whether it is solid or liquid or gas. A certain color is dominant in it. So-and-so chemicals are part of it, whether that thing is round or square or of any other shape.

Everything is given a name and it is the name alone that represents a particular characteristic of any given thing. For example, when we say water, we mean that liquid that is used to quench the thirst. However, we know that it can be used for other purposes as well.

When we say water then the person hearing that word recognizes the characteristic or the meaning of water. Therefore when we say pen, we mean the thing that is used for writing.

This suggests collection of attributes (sifiiat) is usually shown as a symbol. This symbol can be given a name. According to Sufism the Universe is the collection of the attributes. The common organization of the attributes is responsible for creation. Spiritualists have viewed the attributes in the depth of creation and have given them various names.

Prophets of God received the knowledge of attributes through revelation (vahi). According to them the characteristics that are functional in this universe are the Divine Attributes (sifaat e’lahiya). The difference is that these characteristics exist in the Divine Essence (dhat) in their entirety and the created forms have only gotten part of it. For example, God has sight, meaning that vision is characteristic of God and the created have also vision. God can hear and so does the creation. God has said that among the creators He is the best creator. On the other hand, that God is more merciful than any other. In other words, any characteristic that God has is not only supreme in quality but also limitless, whereas creatures have those same characteristic in a limited fashion.