Examining Gerhard Bowering's Interpretive Perspective on the Face of God and its criticism based on the exegesis of Al-Mizan

The verses which express the "face of God" are of similar [Mutashabih] verses of the Qur'an that must be interpreted by strong [Muhkam] verses on the one hand and the valid methods of understanding the verses on the other. The similarity of these verses has led to various interpretations by the Shiite and Sunnite exegetes, to the extent that some theological groups have believed in the incarnation of God, the Almighty. In an article in the Encyclopedia of the Qur'an entitled "God and His Attributes", Gerhard Bowering, a contemporary German scholar, discusses verses that deal with the face of God. In interpreting these verses, he did not have valid sources and methods of understanding the verses. However, according to the rules of Arabic language and the principles of rational dialogue, the meanings of the verses of the Qur'an, including the meaning of "God's face", should have been explained. Gerhard Bowering’s view of the face of God has been criticized, relying on the interpretation of Al-Mizan and with a descriptive-analytical approach. God's attributes are the same as God's essence, and what is meant by God's face is His superior attributes and beautiful names.