Title: The Demand to See God - Al-Baqarah 2: 55 & Al-Aa`raaf 7: 143 Question: Assalamualaikum In Surah Al-Aa`raaf , Allah relates the desire expressed by Musa (AS) to God Almighty directly to see Him. When Musa (AS) recognizes this futility upon seeing the mountain struck down, he expresses his repentance for requesting this to God. I have two questions that are interrelated: What is the main difference between Musa's (AS) request and the Children of Israel request to see God? Is the desire to see God something that is 'wrong'? Can it be inferred based upon the repentance of Musa (AS)? As a side note, Allaama Iqbal has, in his poetry, demanded of the Muslim, based upon this desire of Musa (AS), to inculcate such lofty aspirations. Wa salaam Asim Awan United States of America Answer: The desire to see God, per se, is not condemnable. In fact, this desire is quite natural. However, in the test of the life of this world, where God has decided to keep Himself unseen, if a person demands to see God, for believing Him, such a conditional belief becomes quite condemnable. The difference between the two situations is quite significant. In the case of Moses (pbuh), it was, in fact, the natural desire of a true believer, which prompted Moses (pbuh) to make the referred request. On the other hand, the demand of the Jews mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah is of the nature of demanding to see God, as a condition to believe in Him. It was, in fact, this difference in the nature of the two demands, which made one commendable and the other condemnable. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad September 16, 2001