Imam Reza (AS) and the Issue of God Vision

The discussion of the possibility of God vision which has a long background between the heresiographers is mentioned more than twenty times in Imam Reza's (AS) statements. The literal meaning of the Quranic verses and the existence of some narrations brought about some Muslims to believe in the possibility of eye-sight, but Imam Reza (AS), offering Quranic and rational reasons, explicitly negated the eye-sight of God and interpreted the verses and narrations in a way that do not require the eye-sight of God. Nevertheless some times in relation to his audience, he had spoken of heart vision of God and revealed God's being publically known to the creatures and explained why the creatures are in veil. In this writing, a collection of his statements in the discussion of God's vision is examined.