the indication in place of the description, as has been said concerning Allah’s words:

“The likeness of Paradise which the righteous have been promised” [al-Ra'd 35].

Some have said that this means “the description of Paradise which the righteous have been promised.” If the knowledge of a thing in the mind is called its likeness and its description, then the mental form is that likeness, which is also called a description and a likeness. Hence one says, “I pictured the thing,” “I formed a likeness of it in my mind,” and “I imagined it,” when its form, likeness, and image have taken shape in one’s mind.

Likewise, its external likeness is called an image, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “May Allah curse image-makers.” He also said: “Whoever makes an image will be required to breathe life into it, but he will not be able to do so.” And he said: “Angels do not enter a house in which there is