What Does Allah Look Like?

There is nothing like unto Allah

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, All-Seer.” [al-Shura 42:11].

There is nothing like unto Him, nothing that is equal or comparable to Him or that can rival Him. He is far above any resemblance to any created being. Whatever crosses the mind of the son of Adam with regard to his Lord, He is greater than that. No creature can encompass Him, may He be glorified and exalted, or imagine what He looks like. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… and they will never encompass anything of His Knowledge.” [Ta-Ha 20:110]

The Muslim is not supposed to try to imagine or picture Allah; rather, he has to believe in the sublime attributes which befit His Might and Majesty in which there is none like unto Him.

Will the believers see Allah?

Part of the ‘aqidah (basic beliefs, creed) of the Muslims is that Allah cannot be seen in this world, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“No vision can grasp Him” [al-An'am 6:103]

But the believers will see Allah in the Hereafter , in the gathering-place where judgement will be passed, and in Paradise. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked – as it was reported in Sahih Muslim – “Did you see your Lord?” He said, “I saw Light.” According to another report: “Light, how could I see Him?” This is in accordance with what Allah said to Musa in Surah al-A’raf (interpretation of the meaning):

“ ‘You cannot see Me’” i.e., in this world.

Neither the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) nor anybody else has seen Allah with his own two eyes. In the Hereafter, when the people see Him in the place of gathering , they will fall down in prostration before His Might and Majesty. Seeing Him in Paradise will be the greatest of all the joys that the people of Paradise will experience.

How to recognize Allah

You have to recognize Allah by the Names and Attributes which He has told us about in His Book, and which His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us about. Do not occupy yourself with something that is beyond you; devote yourself instead to doing what your Lord has commanded you to do. Put aside these whispers from the Shaytan, and may Allah help you to do that which pleases Him.

And Allah knows best.