, which is not sheer nonexistence.

Although they erred in some of what they said, they did not say that sheer nonexistence, which is nothing at all, can be seen; no rational person would say this. In reality, when something is seen, it is only its conceptual representation that is seen, not the thing itself. When this question was raised, Abū al-Shaykh al-Asbahānī instructed people to refrain from discussing it. Before a thing comes into existence, it is not seen; after it ceases to exist, it is not seen. It is seen only while it exists. This is perfection in seeing. Likewise, the voices of His servants are heard when they exist, not after they have faded away or before they arise. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“And say, ‘Work, for Allah will see your deeds, as will His Messenger and the believers.’”

He also says:

“Then We made you successors in the land after them, so that We might see how you would act.”

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Allah, Exalted is He, sent the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—as guidance and mercy to all worlds. Just as He sent him with knowledge, guidance, and proofs drawn from reason and revelation, He also sent him to show kindness and mercy to people without seeking anything in return, and to be patient in the face of the harm they inflict