the sun, moon, and stars in a mirror, water, or the like.

Hearts are innately disposed to have realities manifest themselves within them according to their readiness to receive them. When something manifests itself within them, they perceive it inwardly as it manifests itself within them.

Moreover, it is possible for hearts to behold Him Himself, blessed and exalted is He, although this may be said to be restricted to certain created beings. Thus Abū Dharr, Ibn ‘Abbās, and others among the early generations said:

“Our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw his Lord with his heart.”

Ibn ‘Abbās said: “He saw Him with his heart twice.”

If this kind of vision is possible, and has been said to have occurred, it cannot be denied without evidence.

As for seeing Him with the eyes in this world, although the early generations and the imams held this to be possible, it has not been established for anyone. Nor has any scholar claimed it for anyone except our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and only some scholars have made this claim for him.

A group of Sufis have claimed it for others, but this is false, for the Quran and Sunnah establish that no one sees Him with his eyes in this world.