and other substances that have become lucid and refined—it glows and becomes illuminated because of its receptivity to the radiance.

Thus it is with hearts: when they become pure, they clarify; and when they are obstructed, they darken. Consequently, the ignorant and dull-witted person imagines that it is impossible to see Him. But no, by God Who knows the secret and the manifest: the matter is not as they think. Rather, it is exactly as we have described—without resemblance (shaba), anthropomorphism (tashbih), doubt, or deception. Do you not know and understand that a pond of clear water reflects the likeness of the sky with its stars and its moon? People might almost disagree [on its reality] were it not for their intellects denying [the physical presence of the sky in the water], realizing that the pure water is merely mimicking it. The cause lies in the observer, not in the observed, just as we explained regarding the 'rust' of sins upon their hearts. As it has been said:

There is no defect in Him that diminishes Him

;The defect lies only in the sightless eye.

And it has been narrated from the words of our Master (may His might be exalted) that he said to one of the deniers: 'If you are blind, [know that] the sun is still rising.