that speak of seeing Allah. They replied, ‘Let them stand, without specifying how.’”

Al-Rabī‘ said, “I was present with al-Shāfi‘ī when he received a written question from Upper Egypt asking, ‘What do you say concerning Allah’s words: “No! Indeed, on that Day they will be veiled from their Lord” {15}?’ Al-Shāfi‘ī said, ‘Since He veiled these people from Himself in His displeasure, this is evidence that He will be seen when He is pleased.’”

Al-Rabī‘ said, “I asked, ‘O Abū ‘Abd Allāh, is this your belief?’ He replied, ‘Yes, and this is the belief with which I worship Allah. Had Muhammad ibn Idrīs not believed that he would see Allah, he would not have worshipped Him.’”

‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak said, “Allah has never veiled anyone from Himself without punishing him.” He then recited:

“No! Indeed, on that Day they will be veiled from their Lord. {15} Then they will surely enter the Hellfire. {16} Then it will be said, ‘This is what you used to deny.’ {17}” [al-Mutaffifīn 15–17]

He said, “That is, seeing Allah.”