He said: Regarding the face, the Muʿtazilah held two positions. One of them, Abū al-Hudhayl, said: “Allah’s face is Allah Himself, exalted is He.” Another said that His words, “And the Face of your Lord will remain” [al-Rahmān 27], mean “Your Lord will remain,” without thereby affirming a face, whether or not it is said to be Allah Himself, exalted is He.

He said: They differed over seeing Allah, exalted is He, with the eyes, holding nineteen positions. Some said: “It is possible for us to see Allah with our eyes in this world, and we do not rule out that He might be someone we meet in the streets.” Some of them held it possible for Him to dwell within bodies. When those who believed in such indwelling saw someone whose appearance they admired, they could not tell whether their god might be within him.

Many who held that He could be seen in this world also held it possible to shake hands with Him, touch Him, and exchange visits with Him. They said: “The sincere embrace Him in this world and the Hereafter whenever they wish.” This was related of the followers of Mudar