the coming of certainty and the coming of the Hour (1). With regard to lordship, this occurs through the unveiling of veils that are not attached to the servant, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“His veil is light—or fire. Were He to remove it, the radiance of His Face would burn everything in His creation that His sight reaches.”

These veils prevent the servants from perceiving, just as clouds and roofs may conceal the sun and moon from them. When these are removed, the sun and moon become visible. As for these veils obstructing Allah’s sight and perception, no Muslim says this, for not even an atom’s weight in the earth or the heavens is hidden from Allah. He sees the black ant creeping over solid rock on a dark night. Rather, He prevents His lights from reaching His creatures, as he said:

“Were He to remove them, the radiance of His Face would burn everything in His creation that His sight reaches.”

His sight encompasses all creation, whereas the radiance is concealed by His veil of light or fire. The Jahmiyyah affirm no veil for Him whatsoever, because, according to them, He is not above the Throne. They narrate the fabricated report about ‘Alī:

“He heard a butcher swear, ‘No, by Him who has veiled Himself with seven heavens!’ So he struck him with his whip. The man asked, ‘O Commander of the Faithful, must I offer expiation for my oath?’ He replied, ‘No, but you have sworn by other than Allah.’”

No chain of transmission is known for this report. Even if it were established, ‘Alī would have understood the speaker to mean that He is veiled from perceiving His creation. This is unquestionably false, unlike His being veiled from His creatures’ perception of Him.