But rather through their likenesses, not through their essential realities; through their subtle threads (raqa'iq), not through their absolute truths. Thus, the Essence is witnessed but cannot be known through objective comprehension, for the intellect falls short of knowing It. Knowledge by negation (al-salb) is distinct from knowledge by affirmation. Consequently, nothing remains except faith in the Unseen and the Witnessed realm. Yet, ultimate witnessing does not take place in this earthly abode; just as there is no way for a fetus to comprehend what exists in the wider world, there is no way for those bound to physical bodies to comprehend what exists in that celestial world. And since the Holy World—the World of Command ('Alam al-Amr)—remains hidden, creation was commanded to have faith in the Unseen.

The Brethren of Purity (Ikhwan al-Safa):

"Vigilance (al-Muraqabah) is the continuity of the servant’s awareness that the Lord is watching over him in all his states. Witnessing (al-Mushahadah) is the vision of the Truth within every single atom among the atoms of existence, alongside absolute transcendence above whatever does not befit His grandeur. The White Pearl is the Intellect,