This article examines the issue of seeing God as referenced in the Holy Quran from the perspective of two prominent Shi‗a scholars. Based on their exegetical discussions, both of them rejected the idea of physically seeing God and accepted that Allah is seen spiritually by the heart. Their reasons are based on Qur‘anic verses, Hadith and rational inference. They have also stated that there are stages for the perception of God according to the spiritual level of the individual. Piety and righteousness are necessary to remove the obstacles to seeing God and achieve the meeting with Him. The main difference between Imam Khomeini and ‗Allamah Tabataba‘i is seen in their analyses with regard to the character of perception. Imam Khomeini adopted just a mystical approach for clarifying the issue, utilizing the term ‗tajalli‘ (manifestation); Allamah,ՙ in contrast, emphasized the philosophical and mystical term ―intuitive awareness‖(ilm huzoori) in explanation. With regard to the most debated Qur‘anic passage (i.e. the story of Moses), Imam expressed this story as a promise that Moses would see God, of course, after meeting the condition of fana‟ (annihilation). Allamahՙ also accepted the possibility of the seeing God as mentioned in this story; albeit, after death not in this world.
