Concerning Allah Not Being Seen
If it is said: Can your Lord be seen or not?
Say: This is an invalid statement due to the fundamentals of vision. If one could see in a place then that proves that the [object of vision] is in-time creation because that which is limited and encompassed in space is in-time creation.
If it is then said that He can be seen in a different realm (makān).
This is not conceivable. Furthermore, regarding the negation of the Vision (ar-Ru`yah), the Exalted says: {Vision does not reach Him; rather, He reaches all vision} (Q. 6:103). This negates the general negation of all of the opponents whether it [i.e. the Vision] is in this world or the afterlife.14
Allah, the Exalted, also said to Moses, when the latter inquired about the Vision: {You will never see Me (lan tara`ani)} (Q. 7:143).15 Moses, peace be upon him, did not inquire about the Vision for himself; rather, he inquired on behalf of his people. Similarly, Allah relates the incident of his people by saying: {Verily, they asked Moses for something greater than that! They said: “Show us Allah clearly!” We seized them with thunder.} (Q. 4:153). If he asked on his own behalf, he would have been seized by thunder. He never fell victim to sin; instead, their question about the Vision was without permission. He said to his Lord:
{Will we be destroyed by the action of the foolish amongst us?} (Q. 7:155).
15 Proponents of the Vision argue that this negation is limited to this life only, and Moses and others will see Allah in the next life. However, the particle “lan” in the verse not only indicates emphasis but also indicates a future negation. This means that at no time, now or in the future, will Moses see Allah. If a chief prophet like Moses will not have this honour, what of the rest of us?
Concerning Allah, the Exalted Being One
If it is said: Is your Lord One and not Two or not?
Say: Indeed.
He is One in His majesty and not two. He exclusively possesses the attributes of perfection. Consequently, if there was another with him, then they will have to share in the attributes of perfection that only one is qualified to have. If that was the case, then they would be equal. If that was the case, then it would be necessary for the two of them to fight and dispute. The two of them would be in constant contradiction and opposition. If we take that into consideration, it would either permit the consolidation of actions amongst the two opponents, or the First One‟s will would incapacitate the other‟s will. All of that is impossible.
The Exalted is the Possessor of Majesty.
This is demonstrated by His words: {If there were more than one god besides Allah, they would be ruined} (Q. 21:22), as well as His statement: {Have they have given Allah partners who created similar to His creation so that the creation seemed like them? Say: “Allah is the Creator of everything. He is the One, the Overwhelming.”} (Q. 13:16). It is clear that this creation was witnessed by one God and a second god was not there to witness.
This is obvious. This world is a proof that there is one God. This is what was conveyed by the Messengers and the clear path. This is proven by the statements of the Mighty, Majestic: {So know that there is no god but Allah} (Q. 47:19), {Allah bears witness that there is no god but He; as well as the angels and those entrusted with knowledge. He establishes with justice.} (Q. 3:17), {Your God is One} (Q. 2:163), and {Say: He is Allah, the One} (Q. 112:1).