and invents a doctrine of his own and interprets the texts according to his own opinion has indeed suffered a manifest loss. I heard Abū ‘Abd Allāh say: “Whoever claims that Allah will not be seen in the Hereafter has disbelieved in Allah, denied the Quran, and rejected Allah’s command. He must be called upon to repent. If he repents, so be it; otherwise, he is to be put to death.”

The fifth point is that the authorities followed by this al-Rāzī, such as al-Ash‘arī and others, also affirm that Allah will be seen, that He veils Himself, and that He is above the Throne. Al-Ash‘arī said concerning the Throne:

“He, Glorified be He, said:

‘And your Lord comes, with the angels, rank upon rank. {22}’ [al-Fajr 22]

He, Almighty and Majestic, said:

‘Are they waiting for anything but that Allah should come to them in canopies of clouds?’ [al-Baqarah 210]

He, Glorified be He, said:

‘Then he drew near and came down, {8} until he was two bow-lengths away or nearer. {9} Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed. {10} The heart did not lie about what it saw. {11} Will you then dispute with him over what he sees? {12}’

Up to His words:

‘He certainly saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. {18}’ [al-Najm 8–18]

He, Most High, said:

‘O Jesus, I will take you and raise you to Myself.’ [Āl ‘Imrān 55]

He, Glorified be He, said:

‘They neither killed him nor crucified him, and they certainly did not kill him. {157} Rather, Allah raised him to Himself.’ [al-Nisā’ 157–158]

The Muslim community unanimously agrees that Allah, Almighty and Majestic, raised Jesus to Himself, to heaven. Among the supplications of all Muslims, when they turn to Allah, Almighty and Majestic, concerning an affliction that has befallen them, is their saying: ‘O You who dwell upon the Throne.’ Among their oaths is: ‘No, by Him who has veiled Himself with seven