Does the Quran refer to the direct perception of God?

The direct perception of God, or divine intuition (shahud), is a profound and multifaceted concept that has been interpreted in various ways by Muslim scholars and mystics throughout history. The Holy Quran does not explicitly or directly refer to "seeing" God with the physical eye in this world; in fact, it negates it. However, it frequently alludes to other forms of deep understanding, inner knowledge, and heartfelt intuition concerning God and His presence, which can be considered a type of "direct perception," albeit not in a physical or sensory manner. Let's explore this topic with greater precision. The Quran emphasizes in several verses that God is beyond the grasp of our material senses. One of the clearest verses in this regard is Surah Al-An'am (6:103), which states: "No vision can grasp Him, but He grasps all vision. He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware." This verse explicitly negates the possibility of God being seen with physical eyes. Furthermore, the story of Prophet Moses' request to see God in Surah Al-A'raf (7:143) serves as another testament to this point. When Moses said, "My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You," God replied, "You will not see Me." He then manifested His glory to the mountain, which crumbled into dust. These verses clearly indicate that sensory and physical perception of God is not possible for humans in this world. However, the negation of seeing God with the physical eye does not imply a negation of all forms of "direct perception" or "shahud." The Quran repeatedly emphasizes God's perpetual presence, His closeness to humanity, and His signs in the horizons and within oneself, all of which can lead to a profound and experiential knowledge of God. For instance, Surah Fussilat (41:53) states: "We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth." This verse invites contemplation and reflection on creation and on one's own existence; a contemplation that can lead to an intuitive and heartfelt understanding of the Creator. Moreover, Surah Qaf (50:16) declares: "And We are closer to him than his jugular vein." This extraordinary closeness of God provides the ground for a deep and internal connection that transcends any intermediaries. This proximity does not signify a physical presence but an encompassing, knowing, and present reality that can be felt in the believer's heart and lead to a form of spiritual intuition. The concept of "Iman" (faith) in the Quran is not merely an intellectual belief but a state of submission, certainty (yaqin), and inner peace that stems from a deeper understanding and experience of divine truths. A true believer is one who has perceived God not only with the intellect but with their entire being and heart. This is the "yaqin" that is achieved in the higher stages of faith, which mystics consider akin to seeing with the eye of the heart. In summary, the Holy Quran negates the physical perception of God but frequently refers to a heartfelt, intuitive, and gnostic understanding that is achieved through contemplation of divine signs, remembrance of God (dhikr), and sincerity in servitude. This type of perception, though different from seeing with the eye, is in its own way "direct" and unmediated, as it occurs in the depths of one's soul and brings one closer to a truth that cannot be expressed by any words or images. This "shahud" is what mystics refer to as "seeing with the eye of the heart" or "experiencing the Divine Presence," considering it the pinnacle of closeness to God. Therefore, it can be said that the Quran provides the basis for a direct and inner perception of God, even though this perception has a different nature from sensory and material perception. This kind of perception leads to spiritual elevation and inner peace, assisting individuals in their path of pure servitude and a deeper knowledge of their Lord.