perceive with their hearing and sight more than they are presently capable of perceiving, just as they are unable to see distant or minute things, although they know that Allah is able to show them these things. The same was true of the nations before them. Thus Moses asked his Lord to see Him, and his people asked to see Allah openly, just as they requested other signs. Although they were blameworthy for requesting signs, they were not blameworthy for knowing that Allah was able to bring them about. A person may likewise ask for something inappropriate, thereby overstepping the bounds in supplication—for example, asking to attain the ranks of the prophets or the like. Allah is able to grant this, but asking for it is a transgression.

Thus, no one among the nations whose innate disposition remained sound is found to have said that it is impossible for Allah to be seen—meaning that He cannot be seen under any circumstances and that it is not within His power to show Himself to anyone. Rather, when they denied that He could be seen, it was because of His greatness in magnitude or attributes, as in His statement:

“No vision can grasp Him.” [al-Anʿām 33]

That is, it cannot encompass Him. Likewise, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Light—how could I see Him?” And he said, “I saw