and the believers.’” [Al-Tawbah: 105]

Allah’s seeing the deeds of those mentioned in this verse is not like the Messenger of Allah’s seeing them or the believers’ seeing them, even though the word “seeing” applies to Allah’s seeing their deeds, to the Messenger of Allah’s seeing them, and to the believers’ seeing them.

Abū Bakr said:

Reflect, O scholars and seekers of knowledge, on how the intimate friend of the Most Merciful addressed his father and rebuked him for worshipping what he worshipped. With the guidance of our Creator, Majestic and Exalted, you will understand the soundness of our position and the falsehood of the position of our opponents among the Jahmiyyah, who deny the divine attributes. The intimate friend of the Most Merciful, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said to his father:

“Why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees and cannot benefit you at all?” [Maryam: 42]

Is it not inconceivable, O people of understanding, that the intimate friend of the Most Merciful should say to his father Āzar:

“Why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees?” [Maryam: 42]

—and reproach him for worshipping what neither hears nor sees, then call him to worship One who neither hears nor sees, just like idols, which are inanimate, not living beings? How, then, could our Lord—the Creator, the Maker, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing—be as these ignorant deniers of His attributes describe Him? Our Lord is far too mighty and exalted to be without hearing or sight. One who worships Him as such is like one who worships idols and images that neither hear nor see, or one who worships cattle. Have they not heard the words of our Creator and Maker:

“Would you then be a guardian over him? Or do you think that most of them hear or