since those who share our direction of prayer—the Companions, the Successors, and those after them, down to the scholars of our own time whom we have met—have neither disagreed, entertained misgivings, nor doubted that all believers will see their Creator directly on the Day of Resurrection. The scholars differed only over whether the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw his Creator, Mighty and Majestic, before death came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They did not disagree about the believers seeing their Creator on the Day of Resurrection. Understand these two questions, then; do not confuse them and thereby stray from the straight path.

We shall mention whatever Allah Most High enables us to present on this matter. Most adherents of the Sunnah and hadith affirm that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) saw his Lord. They differed, however, over whether one should say, “He saw Him with his physical eyes,” or, “He saw Him with his heart,” or simply, “He saw Him,” without specifying either his eyes or his heart. These are three positions, corresponding to three views reported from Ahmad, as mentioned by al-Qādī Abū Ya‘lā and others. Accordingly, some scholars have reconciled the statements of the early generations on this matter.