in which he conforms more closely to the Sharia and the truth, is obligatory. Whoever departs from this, thinking that everyone should be disregarded altogether, is ignorant and unjust, and may be more deeply implicated in religious innovation and wickedness than some of them.
In al-Ibānah, Abū al-Hasan al-Ash'arī adduces many cogent proofs from the Quran, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus affirming that Allah can be seen. His principal purpose in al-Ibānah is to present transmitted proofs rather than inferential arguments based on discussion of substances and accidents, which he treats only briefly. He then says:
“Another indication that Allah can be seen with the eyes is that whatever exists can be shown to us; only what does not exist cannot be seen. Since Allah exists and His existence is affirmed, it is not impossible for Him, Mighty and Majestic, to show us Himself. Those who denied that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, can be seen with the eyes intended only ta'tīl (negation). Unable to state this openly, they professed what leads to negation and denied Allah Most High. Exalted is Allah far above what the wrongdoers say!”
He said:
“Another indication that Allah Most High can be seen with the eyes is that Allah Most High sees things. If He sees things—and one who does not see himself cannot see things—and if He sees Himself, then it is possible for Him to show us