Advanced search
Visit
6887
Last Updated: 2014/02/16
Summary of question
Why did God choose to keep Himself, hell and heaven and angels hidden from human eye?
question
Why did God choose to keep Himself, hell and heaven and angels hidden from human eye? Is it because if we would have seen it, we would have been more virtuous?
Concise answer
The angels, heaven, Hell and the reality of sin and reward remaining hidden from human eyes are meant to prepare ground for test and tribulation of human beings because if the curtains or the barriers are removed and if the unseen matters are seen, then it would be meaningless to believe in God and the Hereafter.[1]   That is because belief in God and the Hereafter means accepting things which are not perceivable through the senses. Thus, in the holy Quran, belief in the unseen is considered to be one of the signs of believers. [2]
Experience tells us that seeing the unseen has not so much impact on people. There were many people in the time of the Holy Prophet (S) seeing his miracles, yet they did not tend to embrace the truth and the religion of the Prophet (S).  When it comes to strengthening Muslims' faith, it generally does not have a lasting impact on them. Many instances of the exposure of the unseen have been witnessed in the history where the impact had been momentary.  For instance, Banu Israel saw many miracles; they saw the river split into two and which they crossed on foot but they began to worship the calf soon after. Also, miracles and virtuous acts which have been seen from the prophets and infallible Imams (A.S) did not have a lasting impact on the general public. Only few people who were misled due to ignorance, were guided in the right path.
Therefore, the best way to increase and strengthen faith is to benefit from the blessing of intelligence and to think about the world and to resort to servitude to God, the Exalted as evidenced and recommended by the Quran and prophetic traditions. Of course, paying attention to the sayings and advice of the infallibles will also be greatly helpful.[3]
 

[1] On the day when some of the signs of your Lord shall come, its faith shall not profit a soul which did not believe before, or earn good through its faith. Say: Wait; we too are waiting."  Al-An'am, 158.
[2] "Those who believe in the unseen…" Al-Baqarah, 3.
[3] Vide: Strengthening Faith and Beliefs, question 9323; "Ways to Strengthen the God-seeking Sense", question 3472.
Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • What is the significance of words in divine revelation?
    6173 Exegesis 2011/10/08
    Everything has four modes of existence: verbal existence, written existence, mental existence and external existence. Revelation also has these four modes of existence: For example, when we speak of the external existence of the Quran we say that this Quran was received with these same words by the Prophet through ...
  • What is the Islamic law about a man's relationship with his wife after divorce?
    9216 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/11/08
    It would have been good of you to provide us with details about the said relations and the marriage so that you might not need to study the different rules concerning the circumstances that can be similar to your situation. In any case, we will give ...
  • What is the meaning of ‘moon in the Scorpio’?
    36723 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/03/07
    It has been narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that he said: “Whoever embarks on a journey or marries when the moon is in the Scorpio (qamar dar aqrab), he will not see any good.” The subject of ‘moon in the Scorpio’ is something according to which fatwas ...
  • Are the Imams witnessing our actions?
    7183 Traditional 2011/04/11
    The Quranic verses and also narrations (revayāt) indicate that the Imams (a.s.) are aware of our actions throughout the day and night, and that our deeds are presented to them. As for why one Imam gives advice to another Imam, ...
  • Is working in places where pork or liquor are served or institutes which aid Israel haram?
    8567 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/09/09
    In response to the question about whether working in factories that manufacture canned pork and in nightclubs or other centers of corruption is permissible or not, Ayatullah Khamenei says: Making a living off of haram acts such as selling pork, liquor, establishing or managing nightclubs, centers of corruption ...
  • Are natural disasters forms of divine punishment or do they have natural causes?
    14965 Traditional 2010/03/13
    The purpose behind natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and storms, cannot only be viewed as forms of divine punishments, they are also designed to remind us of God's blessings. They help us to avoid being negligent, they allow our natural talents to blossom, they help revive ...
  • Are there any rules, guidelines, and restrictions when it comes to adopting children?
    7129 فرزندان پرورشگاهی و یا نامشروع 2012/09/01
    There is no objection in providing care and protection to a child who is without protection or whose guardians are unable to protect it and who surrender their child with full consent to another person to protect and take care of it. When it comes to taking ...
  • What is the limit of sexual pleasures in temporary marriage?
    7249 شرایط ازدواج موقت 2012/06/28
    The relation between man and woman becomes lawful by contracting marriage. There are two kinds of marriages: Permanent marriage and temporary marriage In a permanent marriage, the period of matrimony is not fixed, and it is forever. The woman with whom such ...
  • Why weren't the Holy Prophet's wives called Ummul Muslimeen instead of Ummul Momineen?
    11020 Exegesis 2011/02/08
    The title "Ummul Momineen" (Mother of the Believers) is derived from the sixth verse of Chapter al-Ahzab of the Quran. In view of the contexts surrounding the verse, it can be said that the word Momineen in the said verse refers to all Muslims; thus, Ummul ...
  • What are the “Arsh” and “Kursiyy”?
    15688 Exegesis 2009/08/15
    With help from other Quranic verses and traditions of the imams, commentators of the Quran have presented several possible meanings for these terms. Some say the two are metaphorically referring to the same thing, which is the rank of Allah's (swt) command and governing of this world’s affairs.

Popular