ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that in Sunni Islam, vision is normatively configured as a sense more haptic than optical. Sight touches, glances. It does not see through; that is the prerogative of God, rulers, and mystics, and one of the joys of Paradise. In support of this argument, the chapter additionally shows how early to premodern Islamic art and architecture both reinforce and delight in this haptically configured vision: how superficiality is celebrated and depth eschewed.
