Imagination As Light.

[Abu Habiba]

Assalam alaikum,

In the Hadith, we learn that the Prophet, peace be uon him, said:- "Worship Allah as though you see Him.." and "Allah is the qibla of the person who is praying"- ie imagine Him in your direction of prayer and be attentive to Him, so that you are fully mindful of Him and be attentive to Him, so that you are fully mindful of Him and humble before Him. And always observe the appropriate courtesy (adab) with Him while you are praying, as if you don't do that you are being discourteous and inconsiderate.

 

 Had the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, not known that there is within you a reality called 'Imagination'  that has an immense sway, he would not have said to us "Worship Allah as though you see Him.." with your physical vision. For indications of the intellect rule out this "as though", and the intellect holds, with its arguments, that any "likeness" (between Allah and created things) is impossible: vision can perceive nothing but the wall (in front of the person praying) ! Yet the Prophet, peace be upon him, called upon us to imagine that we are facing Allah (al-Haqq) in our direction of prayer; indeed it has been prescribed that we accept that, where Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, says:- "So wherever you may turn, then there is the Face of Allah". (2:115).... the "Face" (wajh) of something is its reality and individual essence. Indeed, imagination in this context is all-encompassing.