◈ Strange Demands of the Polytheists of Makkah
The polytheists of Makkah made peculiar and irrational demands as proof of the Prophethood of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Among their conditions was the appearance of Allah ﷻ or angels in this world. They insisted that either angels should descend and bear witness to the Prophethood of the Messenger ﷺ before them, or that they themselves should see Allah directly and question Him regarding the truth of the Prophet's ﷺ claim. These demands reflected their arrogance and defiance.
❖ Mention of the Polytheists' Demands in the Qur'an
Allah ﷻ responded to their demands, revealing that these individuals were extremely arrogant and rebellious. They considered themselves worthy of witnessing Allah ﷻ or encountering angels.
وَقَالَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَرْجُوْنَ لِقَاۗءَنَا لَوْلَآ اُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَلٰۗىِٕكَةُ اَوْ نَرٰي رَبَّنَا ۭ لَـقَدِ اسْتَكْبَرُوْا فِيْٓ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَعَتَوْ عُتُوًّا كَبِيْرًا
(Surah Al-Furqan, Ayah 21)
Translation:
"Those who do not expect to meet Us say, 'Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?' Indeed, they are arrogant within themselves and have become excessively insolent."
❖ Other Demands Mentioned in the Qur'an
Similarly, their other demands have also been recorded in Surah Al-Isra:
اَوْ تُسْقِطَ السَّمَاۗءَ كَمَا زَعَمْتَ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًا اَوْ تَاْتِيَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْمَلٰۗىِٕكَةِ قَبِيْلًا
(Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 92)
Translation:
"Or [they say], 'Make the sky fall upon us in fragments, as you have claimed, or bring Allah and the angels before [us].'"
❖ The Demand to See Angels and Its Consequence
Allah ﷻ clearly stated the consequence of their demand to see the angels. When they will indeed see angels—either at the time of death or on the Day of Judgment—they will be overwhelmed with regret and terror, saying:
وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ حِجْرًا مَّحْجُوْرًا
Translation:
"They will say: 'Forbidden, completely forbidden!'"
(Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3, p. 413)
✿ Perceiving the Essence of Allah is Impossible
The extremity of the ignorance and arrogance of the polytheists was evident in their desire to see Allah ﷻ, although the essence of Allah is such that no eye can perceive Him.
لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْاَبْصَارُ ۡ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْاَبْصَارَ ۚ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيْفُ الْخَبِيْرُ
(Surah Al-An’am, Ayah 103)
Translation:
"Eyes cannot grasp Him, but He grasps all eyes. He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware."
❖ The Limitations of Human Perception
Human eyes, senses, and intellect are inherently limited. The essence of Allah ﷻ is infinite and boundless. Therefore, no creation can encompass or behold His reality in this worldly life.
✔ Reasons why the vision of Allah is impossible in this world:
① Eyes can only see things within a specific distance and physical state.
② Allah’s Essence is free from any state or dimension.
③ A finite creation cannot perceive an infinite Creator.
❀ The Vision of Allah in the Hereafter
While witnessing Allah ﷻ in this world is impossible, in the Hereafter, the believers will be honored with the vision of their Lord. As mentioned in the Qur’an:
وُجُوْهٌ يَّوْمَىِٕذٍ نَّاضِرَةٌ اِلٰى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ
(Surah Al-Qiyamah, Ayah 22–23)
Translation:
"Some faces that Day will be radiant, looking toward their Lord."
✦ The Difference Between This World and the Hereafter
In this world, human perception lacks the capacity to behold Allah ﷻ. However, in the Hereafter, Allah ﷻ will bestow upon the believers the power and vision required to witness His Divine Presence.
According to Sahih Muslim, the greatest reward in Paradise for the believers will be the vision of Allah ﷻ, which will surpass all other blessings of Paradise. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith of Suhayb رضي الله عنه)
Conclusion
In this worldly life, it is impossible to perceive the Essence of Allah ﷻ. This world has been created only to recognize His signs and understand His power. In the Hereafter, believers will be granted the honor of beholding Allah ﷻ according to their ranks. This will be their greatest joy and blessing.
