Sha’air of God (Symbols of God

Sha’air of God (Symbols of God) It is a fact that the true vision of God will only be possible in the Hereafter. However, even while believing in the divine vision of the Hereafter, humans have a natural desire to experience closeness to God in this life. This is an intrinsic aspect of human nature. The question then arises: how can this desire be fulfilled in the present world? The answer is provided in the concept of Sha’air (signs) of God as mentioned in the Quran (2:158). God has designated certain things as His symbols due to their specific historical significance. These symbols or memorials have been surrounded by such circumstances that seeing them becomes akin to seeing God. Through these, one can indirectly experience the God whom one cannot directly perceive. While humans cannot see God in this world, they can see Sha’air of God. They cannot physically touch or experience the presence of God in this world, but they can touch these symbols and, through them, experience a tangible closeness to God. The word Sha’ira (plural: Sha’air) means a sign, symbol, or memorial—something that is not the original itself but reminds one of the original due to a particular association. An example of this is the hills of Safa and Marwah, which the Quran refers to as Sha’air of God: “Indeed, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of God.” (Quran 2:158). Safa and Marwah are two hills near the Ka‘bah in Makkah, with a distance of approximately 500 steps between them. When Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) settled his wife Hajar and their infant son Isma’il in this barren area, there was