“veiling” and “preventing” more properly, since the obstruction arises from it. The veiling that prevents sight is not this prevention and veiling.

His statement, “The only thing that prevents seeing Him is the impediment He creates,” is not a valid restriction. Rather, screening bodies prevent sight, even supposing that an impediment such as blindness has arisen in the eye. Do you not see that the eyelid itself is a body? When a person closes it, it prevents the eye from seeing. Even if an impediment inheres in the eye, that impediment is not a cause of the prevention.

As for his statement, “What prevents sight is that which prevents its existence, and whatever prevents that is what is contrary to its existence,” the reply is that the word “contrariety” has a broader meaning in Arabic than in the technical terminology of the theologians. It was in this language that the Quran was revealed. Allah Most High says:

“They have taken gods besides Allah to be a source of strength for them. (81) No! They will disown their worship and become their opponents. (82)” [Maryam 81–82]

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Anyone whose intercession prevents the execution of one of Allah Most High’s prescribed punishments has opposed Allah in His command.”