ALLAH CAN BE SEEN

ALLAH CAN BE SEEN

It is explained in the Holy Qur'an that on the day of Judgment believers will be able to see Allah. Once the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) said that he beheld Allah in a most lovely form (101, p. 155). These two statements are evidence enough for us to conclude that Allah can be seen. And because we cannot see anything that is formless, the Allah Whom we will be enabled to see does have a form. Allah's form is completely spiritual and replete with unlimited sublime qualities. It is also true that Allah is unseen, which means He is not seen with ordinary material eyes. Only by the causeless mercy of Allah can one see Him. If Allah grants someone spiritual vision then he will be able to see Him. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) and some other Prophets of ancient times were granted such vision. In the other world, however, all believers will see Allah. Some scholars say that only His eyes will be visible and others His whole face; while still others say that every part of His form will be seen (88, p. 55).

So in the sura "Al-Qiyamat", or "The Resurrection" it is said:

وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ

إِلَى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ

Wujuhuny-yawma-'izinazirah

Ila rabbiha nazirah:

"Some faces, that Day, will beam,

Looking towards their Lord." (75.22-23)

The meaning of these ayats is that when righteous souls go to Allah, they will be able to see their Lord, their faces shining with immense joy. It is explained that they will "look towards their Lord." This means that Allah will be the object of their gaze. So it is very clear that Allah (Who is seen) visibly occupies some space. Anyone who is visible must have a form. This means that Allah, Who does occupy some visible space, has a form; but His form is spiritual and never limited or conditioned by material space. The transcendental form of Allah is brighter than billions of suns. This brightness prevents one from seeing the form of Allah. Even so, Allah, out of His causeless mercy, can remove His blinding effulgence in order to reveal His form to His pure devotees.

Once the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W.) said:

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"His (Allah's) glory is His veil. If He (Allah) were to lift the veil, the effulgence of His Being will consume everything as far as the eye of His creatures can reach." (p.30)

Nevertheless, Allah, out of mercy, allows the pure devotees to see His form with no harm. Thus Allah is not an abstract power or energy but a living Being Who has a supreme, spiritual form, for righteous people will be able to see Him on the Day of Judgment.