Hello,
Thank you for your reply.
From your explanation, you seem to have identified a common aspect of the two kinds of encounter. You described the encounter in the Hereafter as more tangible than its worldly counterpart, since it takes place beyond the material realm.
I would like to share my own view. If my thinking is mistaken, please point out where.
In my humble opinion, encounter is essentially a form of annihilation in the Divine Names and Attributes. The nature of this encounter, the kind of relationship involved, and the degree of annihilation determine whether a person is destined for Paradise or Hell.
In reality, “worldly encounter” is a figurative expression; “nearness” would be more accurate, since however free a person may be, they are inevitably under the sway of the veil of this world.
In the Hereafter, however, encounter is no longer what determines whether we are destined for Paradise or Hell. Rather, the encounter of the Hereafter means union, and goes beyond the nearness experienced in this world.
So, just as the worship of God’s servants in this world is an expression of their servitude, and differs in nature from worship in the Hereafter, divine encounter, too, must differ in nature. (By saying that its nature differs, I do not mean that the two encounters belong to entirely different categories. Rather, the encounter of the Hereafter is the fruit of the nature and quality of worldly encounters.)
My question, then, is this: In the Hereafter, can encounter still be understood as annihilation in the Divine Names and Attributes, or is that not the case, because the nature of the Hereafter does not allow for it?
Thank you.
#Response2939
Encounter with the Lord has degrees, both in this world and in the Hereafter. Each created being attains its own degree according to its station and rank in servitude.
Encounter means more than simply seeing. Through His encounter with His servant, the Creator brings them to a particular vision, understanding, and knowledge that they have never before experienced. It is a kind of unveiling of hidden mysteries and the disclosure of what cannot be seen, understood, or grasped by reason. In other words, the Creator elevates the station of His servant, fulfils His promises, and opens up a new realm for them.
Setting aside the language of annihilation and subsistence, we can put it this way: the source of all created things lies in the Most Beautiful Names of God. For created beings to reach this supreme destination means that those same Names become manifest through the soul of God’s created servant, elevating their vision and understanding to that level. The point, however, is that the Most Beautiful Names of God, too, have an encounter, since the Infallibles (peace be upon them), who occupy that exalted station, are themselves on a spiritual journey toward encounter with their Lord.