Al 'Arabi on the hierarchy of Divine attributes, from the Futuhât al-makkiyya
"You should know that "divine names" is an expression for a state that is bestowed by the realities. So pay attention to what you will hear, and do not imagine manyness or ontological combination. What we want to explain in this section is only the hierarchy of the intelligible realities, which are many in respect of relationships, but not in respect of real existence, for the Essence of the real is One in respect of being the Essence. "
The Sufi Path of Knowledge, William Chittick, State University of New York press, 1989, page 53
Commentary
The complexities of al 'Arabi's arguments on these subjects can only be fully appreciated by referring to a lengthier study of the subject, found in the chapter "The Divine Roots of Hierarchy and Conflict," beginning on page 47 of the above text.