The Possibility of Go`s Being Seen«as Viewed by Ayatollah Ma`refat in His Commentary with an Emphasis on Semiotic Approach

The issue of the possibility of God`s being seen at the resurrection is disputed by the scholars of Imamiyyah, Mu'tazilites and Ash'arites. This is due to differences found in the acceptance of the different semantic aspects of the "God`s being seen". Ayatollah Ma'refat has discussed this issue in his al-Tafsir al-Athari al-Jama'i and al-Ta'mhid and, having analyzed the text and the documentation of the related narratives, has responded to the Ash'arites' arguments. The present article seeks to explore the components of the semantics approach in explaining the concept of "being seen" in the Ayatollah`s disputes and his responses to the Ash'arites. Among the components which have been successful in its application, one can refer to actualizing the text, attaining the serious intention of words, correct recognition of the truth, paying attention to the dignity of speaker, going beyond the appearances, which are semantic elements. In the meantime, the Ash'arite`s mistakes in the field have also appeared.