As for their assertion that the object must not be extremely close or extremely distant, nor small and subtle, this condition is stipulated only because sight is incapable of perceiving anything of this kind, because that is intrinsically impossible. Yet a servant’s sight can be strengthened until he can see what is close, distant, or subtle, and this is not intrinsically impossible. This is illustrated by the fact that nearness and distance, smallness and largeness, are relative matters: something may be small in relation to one observer’s sight but not in relation to another’s. The same applies to nearness and distance.

Likewise, they stipulate that there must be no dense veils between the observer and the object seen. Yet seeing what lies beyond a veil is not intrinsically impossible; rather, sight is incapable of it. Allah sees everything, and neither the heavens nor the earth nor any other veils obstruct His sight.

Likewise, they stipulate that the object must be opposite the observer. Yet it is established in an authentic report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Do not precede me in bowing or prostrating, for I see you behind me just as I see you before me.”