al-Ashʿarī among the later scholars, such as Abū Ḥāmid, Ibn al-Khaṭīb, and others, when they reflected upon that, reverted regarding the vision [of God] to the view of the Muʿtazilites or something close to it. They interpreted it as an increase in knowledge, just as the Jahmiyya, the Muʿtazilites, and others interpret it. This, in reality, is a nullification of the vision established by the textual evidences and consensus... etc.
He also said (4/400): "...The view of affirming the vision while denying that God Almighty is above the world is not known except from this faction, and they are some of the followers of al-Ashʿarī and those who agreed with them... For this reason, you find that those who affirm the vision but not the elevation [of God], upon verifying the matter, are hypocrites toward the people of the Sunna and affirmation. They interpret the vision they affirm in a manner similar to how the Muʿtazilites and others among the Jahmiyya interpret it. They set up a disagreement regarding it with the Muʿtazilites and their likes, pretending to refute them and to agree with the people of the Sunna and the congregation in affirming the vision. Yet, upon verification, they are in agreement with the Muʿtazilites. They only affirm of it something like what the Muʿtazilites affirmed, such as an increase in knowledge, and similar things that the Muʿtazilites say regarding the vision, or something close to it. This is why al-Rāzī admits that the dispute between them and the Muʿtazilites regarding the vision is close to being merely verbal.
Thus, it is known that the inward reality of these people is the inward reality of the Muʿtazilite Jahmiyya who nullify [the attributes], even if their outward appearance is that of the people of affirmation. Just as the Muʿtazilites, upon verification, their true reality is that of the heretics who completely deny the names and attributes, even if they pretend to refute them. And the heretics, their true reality is the reality of those who completely deny the Creator. This, by my life, is upon verification... etc."
Thus, by this, they are deniers of the vision that the Qurʾān indicates and which the mass-transmitted hadiths from the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, have established." End quote.
I say: The imams of the Sunna and the traditions have declared as disbelievers those who deny the reality of the believers seeing their Lord, Mighty and Majestic.
