"Do you crowd one another in order to see the moon on the night of a full moon? Do you crowd one another in order to see the sun?" They said: "No." He said: "So verily, you shall see your Lord as you see the moon on the night of a full moon, you shall not crowd one another to see Him." Other chains report similar narrations.
Hadith Commentary: The Vision of Allah
This noble hadith from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (2554) establishes the fundamental creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah regarding the believers' vision of their Lord in the Hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) draws a magnificent analogy between seeing celestial bodies and seeing the Divine Essence, affirming that the believers will behold Allah without any crowding or difficulty.
The Analogy of Celestial Vision
The comparison to the full moon and sun serves multiple purposes. Just as these celestial bodies are clearly visible to all without obstruction, so too will the vision of Allah be equally accessible to every believer in Paradise. The rhetorical question "Do you crowd one another?" emphasizes the perfection and ease of this vision, eliminating any notion of competition or limitation in beholding the Divine.
This analogy also indicates the clarity and distinctness of the vision - as the full moon is seen clearly without doubt or confusion, so too will the believers see their Lord with absolute clarity and certainty, far surpassing any earthly vision.
Scholarly Perspectives
Imam al-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan sahih, indicating its sound authenticity. Classical scholars like Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Imam al-Bukhari affirmed this narration as foundational to Sunni creed. The vision occurs without modality (kayf) - we affirm the reality of seeing Allah while acknowledging our inability to comprehend its nature.
This vision is a special honor for the believers, distinct from the general creation's awareness of Allah's signs. It represents the ultimate fulfillment of spiritual yearning and the highest reward in Paradise, as mentioned in Quran 75:22-23: "Some faces that Day will be radiant, looking at their Lord."
Rejection of Misinterpretations
This hadith decisively refutes those who deny the beatific vision, particularly the Mu'tazilites and other rationalist groups who claimed seeing Allah is impossible. The Prophet's clear analogy demonstrates that what seems impossible in this worldly realm becomes reality in the Next Life through Allah's power and mercy.
The vision does not imply direction, location, or physical proximity to Allah, as He is beyond such limitations. Rather, it is a unique divine gift that transcends human comprehension, granted by Allah's will and power without resembling any created form of vision.