these screening bodies are said to veil a created being from seeing something because the prevention of sight occurs when they are present. On this basis, his statement that we do not see the Creator in this world because we are behind a veil is figurative. What actually prevents us from seeing Him is the impediment He creates. This is because whatever prevents a thing from being known, seen, or directly witnessed prevents knowledge or direct witnessing of it from existing. Whatever prevents this must be contrary to its existence. Such opposition is possible only between two mutually contrary accidents that succeed one another. A body cannot itself constitute an impediment, nor can it prevent any accident whatsoever, since an accident and a body cannot be mutually incompatible.”

Al-Qādī responded that this does not preclude using the term “veil” in relation to the Eternal One—glory be to Him—any more than it precludes using it in relation to others, even where the consideration he mentions applies. The truth is that this argument is one of the fallacies of these speculative theologians.