The critical aspect of the issue of seeing Allah Almighty according to Imam al-Taftazani, through his commentary on Imam al-Zamakhshari's Tafsir al-Kashshaf

Abstract

The issue of seeing Allah Almighty is one of the issues that has been the subject of disagreement between the Sunnis and other Islamic sects. This study presents the Mu'tazilite viewpoint and their position denying the vision of Allah Almighty. This is done through Imam al-Zamakhshari's Tafsir al-Kashshaf, his interpretation of the verses that appear to support his doctrine, and his interpretation of the verses that affirm the vision. This is based on his assumption that seeing requires direction, opposition, partiality, and the connection of a ray of light between the seer and the seen. All of these meanings are meanings that Allah Almighty must be absolved of. Imam al-Taftazani then presents a critique of these interpretations and explanations, based on the Sunnis' understanding of them and their orientation toward them, as the majority of them do. This is done through his commentary on al-Kashshaf, and he demonstrates that these meanings envisioned by al-Zamakhshari are invalid, demonstrating that these conditions are ordinary and can be omitted, resulting in seeing Allah Almighty without these conditions being met.