and you have considered the manifestation of homogeneity to exist solely within the eyes of the onlookers—even after you considered this very manifestation to be the foundation for recognizing the Creator, without which Allah would never be known. Therefore, if you are among the adherents of Objective, Eye-Witnessed Existence (al-wujūd al-‘aynī) who point toward a present, existing Reality, to whom exactly do you point? And how do you point to Allah in your worship and turn toward Him with your hearts in your private devotions?"

In response to him, we say: It is well known among the monotheists that not a single created being, neither in the earth nor in the heavens, can withstand the vision of the Essence stripped bare of names and attributes. For if the Creator, glorified is He, were to manifest via direct unveiling without a veil, He would surely extinguish all lights, blind all sights, and incinerate the cosmos—both its upper and lower realms.

As the verse of poetry states:

“And if the Compeller were to manifest in the fullness of His Essence,

The physical bodies would instantly fall into ruin, incinerated.”