Al-Baṣīr - The All-Seeing One

He is the One who watches and observes in such a way that (even) that which is under the earth does not escape His attention. Moreover, His seeing this also is free of dependence upon the pupil of the eye and the eyelids, as well as being free of the necessity of relying upon the stamping of forms and colours upon His eye as they are imprinted upon the eye of man. For human vision results from the receiving of impressions and the changing (of colours), and this necessitates (the presence of various) accidents. If these are disregarded, sight with respect to God is tantamount to a faculty through which the properties of objects under scrutiny are revealed to perfection. This is far clearer and more lucid than what can be achieved by a vision limited in range to the external appearance of seen objects.

In respect of sensory perception man’s portion of the characterization of sight is self-evident. But it is weak and inadequate. For man’s sight does not extend to (those objects) which are distant, and it does not penetrate the hidden object which is near-by. Rather does it only reach the things that are obvious, and it falls short of those things that are hidden, including (man’s) secret thoughts. However, man’s portion of seeing spiritual matters consists of two things. One of them is that he knows that God created vision for him so that he might behold the signs and wonders of the kingdom and the heavens. And his vision is a warning. A (certain) man said to Jesus – may peace be upon him – “Is there any creature who is similar to you?” He answered, “The one whose vision amounts to a warning and his silence indicates that he is thinking and whose speech consists of remembering (God), he is similar to me”.

Man’s second portion of seeing spiritual matters consists of the fact that he knows that God sees him and is aware of him, and therefore he does not take lightly this fact that God sees him and is aware of him.