As for witnessing, one of them inwardly witnesses the absolute existence that pervades the entire universe and is not confined to one thing rather than another. This witnessing is sound, but they went astray in supposing that this is the Lord of all worlds and that there is nothing else beyond the heavens and the earth. For they say, “There is no Lord above the Throne, nor any God above the universe.” One of them says, “If the heavens and the earth ceased to exist, the reality of Allah would cease to exist.”

Their condition in this witnessing, inward tasting, and experience is as I described it to those people of spiritual knowledge and discernment whom I addressed when explaining the misconception that led these people astray, despite their abundant worship, sincerity in that knowledge, and virtue. I said, “They are like someone who sees the sun’s rays and imagines that they are the sun itself, that there is nothing whatsoever beyond those rays, and denies that