Ali has seen God?

Question:

One of the innovators made the claim that the Imam (a.) had verified the seeing of God with his eyes. Is this true?

Answer:

The slave of Umar lied!

Hasan Ibn Ali reported that Imam Ali (a.) said: “I saw nothing except that i saw God before, after, with it and in it.” [Musnad Ali of Al-Qubanchi, Volume 1 Page 150 Hadith 390]

عن حسن بن علي بن حسن بن صالح عن الإمام علي عليه السلام أنه قال: ما رأيت شيئا إلا ورأيت الله قبله وبعده ومعه وفيه

Hasan Ibn Ali reported that Imam Ali (a.) was asked by Dhi’lib Al-Yamani: “Have you seen your Lord?” He said: “Should i be serving someone i do not see?” He said: “How do you see him?” He said: “The eyes do not reach Him through the glances (6:103), but the hearts reach Him through the truths of belief.” [Musnad Ali of Al-Qubanchi, Volume 1 Page 145 Hadith 384]

عن حسن بن علي بن حسن بن صالح عن ذعلب اليماني أنه قال لأمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: هل رأيت ربك؟ فقال له عليه السلام: أفأعبد من لا أراه فقال: فكيف تراه؟ فقال عليه السلام: لا تدركه العيون بمشاهدة العيان ولكن تدركه القلوب بحقائق الايمان