Do Shi'ites deny seeing Allah on the Day of Judgement? If yes, Why?
Shi'ites do not accept the notion that Allah can be seen in a physical form on the Day of Judgment. This belief is rooted in their understanding of the nature of God and how He exists beyond human comprehension. For instance, the Qur'an states: Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware.
6:103. This verse emphasizes that God is beyond the limitations of physical sight.
Additionally, in the hadith literature, Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) explained that while hearts can comprehend the realities of faith and recognize God's presence through signs, direct sight of Allah is not possible. He stated: No, the eyes have not seen Him by direct sight, but the hearts have seen Him through the realities of faith. He is not known by analogy, nor grasped by the senses, and He is not comparable to any of the created.
Al-Kafi 3:49. This perspective underscores that belief in Allah is based on faith and understanding rather than physical observation.
Thus, the Shi'ite view emphasizes that the essence of Allah is beyond human perception, aligning with their theological position that He cannot be seen in a literal sense on the Day of Judgment or at any other time.
Sources
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6:103
6:103 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
لَّا تُدْرِكُهُ ٱلْأَبْصَٰرُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ ٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware.
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Al-Kafi 3:49
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 49
I was present with Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) when a man from the Kharijites entered and asked him, "O Abu Ja'far, what do you worship?" He said, "God Almighty." The man said, "Have you seen Him?" Abu Ja'far replied, "No, the eyes have not seen Him by direct sight, but the hearts have seen Him through the realities of faith. He is not known by analogy, nor grasped by the senses, and He is not comparable to any of the created. He is described by the signs (in the Qur'an) and known by His marks; His judgment does not transgress. That is God, there is no deity but Him." The man left saying, "God knows best where He places His message." — OR — Three things complain to God Almighty: a ruined mosque whose inhabitants do not pray in it, a scholar among ignorant people, and a Mus'haf hung up covered with dust that is not recited in. — OR — If you are present with a dying person before his death, teach him to say the testimony: 'There is no god but God alone, without partner, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.' — OR — Ahmad ibn Muhammad narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr from Aban ibn Uthman from Zaid al-Shahham from the one who narrated from Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) that Moses son of 'Imran (peace be upon him) performed pilgrimage accompanied by seventy prophets from the Children of Israel. Their camel bridles were made of palm fiber, responding and greeting, and Moses wore two Qatwani cloaks saying: "Here I am at your service, your servant, son of your servant." — OR — A man came to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) and complained of need. He was ordered to marry. Need increased, so he returned to Abu Abdullah and said his need increased. He was told: Divorce. Then his condition improved. Abu Abdullah said: I commanded you regarding two matters commanded by God: 'Marry those who are single among you' until the words: 'And God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing', and 'If they separate, God will enrich each of them from His bounty'. — OR — I asked him about the words of God Almighty: 'And give them from the wealth of God which He has given you.' He said: That is about the one you plan to contract with. Do not say, 'I contract him for five thousand and leave him with one thousand.' But look at what you plan to contract for and give it to him. And about the words of God Almighty: 'Contract them if you know good in them,' he said: The good means if you know he has wealth. — OR — I asked Abu Ibrahim (peace be upon him) about how the adulterer is flogged. He said, 'With the strongest whip.' I said, 'Is it over his clothes?' He said, 'Rather, his clothes are removed.' I said, 'And the accuser?' He said, 'He is beaten between two blows; his whole body is struck over his clothes.'
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