Understanding the Concept of Witnessing Allah’s Vision in Paradise
Question: Recently, I listened to a clip by Dr. Zakir Naik, where someone asked him how we would see Allah in Paradise since Allah is light. Dr. Zakir Naik responded that not all people in Paradise will see Allah, only those of high status. Earlier, I’d heard that everyone in Paradise will witness Allah’s vision. This clip left me confused. What’s the correct understanding?
Answer: Allah Almighty says in Surah Yunus:
For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah) Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.(Yunus: 26)
In this verse, Allah describes that for the doers of good, there is a good reward and “more.” This increase has been interpreted in some tafsir (exegesis) as referring to the sight of Allah in Paradise. For instance, Suhaib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
In the verse, “For those who have done good is the best reward and more,” (Yunus: 26) the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When the people of Paradise enter it, a caller will announce, ‘You have one more reward with Allah.’ They will say, ‘Has He not brightened our faces, saved us from Hell, and admitted us into Paradise?’ Then the veil will be lifted, and by Allah, nothing given to them will be dearer to them than seeing Allah.” (Sahih Tirmidhi: 2552)
Here, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has clearly explained that all people in Paradise will be blessed with seeing Allah. Furthermore, when the Companions asked how they would see Allah, Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri narrated:
Some people during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, “O Messenger of Allah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Yes. Do you have difficulty seeing the sun at noon, with no clouds in the sky?” They said, “No.” Then he said, “Do you have difficulty seeing the full moon on a cloudless night?” They said, “No.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “Likewise, you will see Allah clearly on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sahih Bukhari: 4581)
The evidence confirms that everyone in Paradise will see Allah, as this is the ultimate reward for the people of Paradise. There is no authentic hadith suggesting only those of a higher status will see Allah. It’s an agreed-upon issue among Ahl al-Sunnah that all residents of Paradise will witness Allah’s vision. Any differing view implies a deficiency in belief.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail