LessonsVision of God: Possibility, Evidence, Objections and TranscendenceQuiz

لَنْ تَرَانِي
You will not see Me. (Qur’an 7:143)

The divine reply contains “You shall not see Me.” Opponents infer an absolute denial of vision, while Sunni theologians answer that the nonoccurrence of an event on a particular occasion is not the same as its being rationally impossible in every condition and at every time.

The verse denies Moses’ vision on that occasion. Claims about the Hereafter require other evidence and attention to context. The difference between denial of a particular occurrence and denial of all possibility is central to the reply.

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“You shall not see Me”: denial here versus absolute impossibility

Vision of God: Possibility, Evidence, Objections and Transcendence

لَنْ تَرَانِي
You will not see Me. (Qur’an 7:143)

The divine reply contains “You shall not see Me.” Opponents infer an absolute denial of vision, while Sunni theologians answer that the nonoccurrence of an event on a particular occasion is not the same as its being rationally impossible in every condition and at every time.

The verse denies Moses’ vision on that occasion. Claims about the Hereafter require other evidence and attention to context. The difference between denial of a particular occurrence and denial of all possibility is central to the reply.