these attributes which you and your advocates deny. We therefore say that He is the One, the Unique, the Self-Sufficient, who neither begets nor is born, and to whom none is equal. He possesses a noble Face, all-encompassing hearing, and all-seeing sight. He is the Light of the heavens and the earth, as the Messenger described Him in his supplication, saying, “O Allah, You are the Light of the heavens and the earth”; and as he also said, “Light—how could I see Him?” Likewise, Ibn Mas‘ūd said, “The light of the heavens and the earth comes from the light of His Face.”

Light necessarily has radiance and luminosity, and an appearance that can be seen and beheld. On that Day it will be perceived through the sense of sight when the veil is lifted from it, just as the sun and moon are perceived in this world.

Allah has veiled Himself from people’s eyes in this world only out of mercy for them. Were He to reveal Himself in this world to these created, perishable eyes, they would be shattered and could not bear looking upon Allah Most High. For they are eyes created to perish, incapable of bearing the light of eternity. On the Day of Resurrection, however, the eyes will be fashioned to endure forever, and will therefore be able to bear looking upon the light of eternity.