Among the hadiths he did not mention is the report in the Sahīh from Abū Mūsā, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said:

“Two gardens of silver—their vessels and everything in them—and two gardens of gold—their vessels and everything in them. Nothing stands between the people and looking upon their Lord except the mantle of greatness over His Face in the Garden of Eden.”

Then he said: “A literal veil is impossible in relation to Allah Most High, for it is a body interposed between two other bodies. Rather, according to us, this means that Allah does not create in the eye a vision of Him. According to those who deny that He will be seen, it means that He, Most High, prevents the effects of His benevolence and bounty from reaching a person.”

I say: Anyone who reflects upon the scriptural texts necessarily recognizes the invalidity of both these interpretations. For the non-creation of vision is sheer nonexistence. Thus the words, “His veil