An Overview of the Characteristics of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama’ah (Part 8)
Seeing and Meeting Allah Almighty
Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama’ah believe in the possibility of meeting Allah Almighty based on both rational and narrative evidence:
First: Rational Evidence:We perceive objects and attributes due to their existence; therefore, if something does not exist, it cannot be seen. Everyone agrees that the mortal cannot be seen; thus, existence is a prerequisite for being seen. Every being can be observed, and since Allah is also present, it is possible and permissible to see Him.
Second: Narrative Evidence: A. In verses 22 and 23 of Surah Al-Qiyamah, it is stated: «وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَّاضِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ» Translation: “On that day, faces will be cheerful and bright, and they will look toward their Lord.”
B. In Surah Al-Mutaffifin, verse 15, it is mentioned concerning the disbelievers: «إِنَّهُمْ عَن رَّبِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّمَحْجُوبُونَ» Translation: “Undoubtedly, they will be prevented from meeting their Lord on that day.” Thus, it can be inferred that believers will not be deprived of seeing Allah.
C. Bukhari has narrated from the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: “You will see your Lord as you see the moon on the fourteenth night.”
The Infallibility of the Prophets
In the Holy Qur’an, many verses extol the divine prophets, granting them holiness, purity, and special greatness while presenting some as role models and embodiments of human perfection. Allah is responsible for their education, upbringing, and purification to elevate them to the heights of humanity and make them worthy of divine choice.
«وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَإِقَامَ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءَ الزَّكَاةِ وَكَانُوا لَنَا عَابِدِينَ» Translation: “And We made them leaders who guided by Our command, and We inspired them to do good deeds, to establish prayer and to give Zakat, and they worshiped Us alone.”
Ahl al-Sunnah wa-al-Jama’ah believe that all prophets are immune from major and minor sins, as infallibility is reserved solely for Allah’s prophets. However, some verses in the Qur’an may seem to suggest that the prophets committed mistakes or acts that contradict their infallibility. In truth, the prophets have never committed a sin because a sin entails willfully opposing Allah’s commandfully aware of the sanctity of the act.
Prophets may have made errors in ijtihad in certain instances, and due to their elevated status, Allah has reprimanded them. The saying attributed to the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, that “the good deeds of the righteous are the bad deeds of the close ones” means that any neglect or prioritization issues among prophets are not acceptable, necessitating their seeking forgiveness. As a human, the Prophet of Islam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, engaged in actions that may seem acceptable or normal to ordinary people; however, given his dignified status, such actions were significant and warranted divine correction.
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