In Book Five of the Masnavi, Jalaluddin Rumi systematically critiques the epistemological stance of sensual empiricists and deniers of the Hereafter who argue that only what is visible or sensory exists ('We do not see anything other than this').

Rumi exposes the fallacy of this argument by presenting several analogies of progressive levels of perception:

1. Intellect vs. Childhood: A child cannot perceive the state of intellect, yet the existence of intellect remains undeniable to a rational adult.
2. Love vs. Reason: A purely rational person (the intellectual) cannot perceive the mysteries of spiritual love, yet love's reality is not diminished by their blindness.
3. Spiritual vs. Physical Sight: Joseph's brothers saw only his physical form, while Jacob perceived his divine beauty. Similarly, Moses' staff appeared as mere wood to sensory eyes but was revealed as a formidable serpent to his spiritual eye ('chashm-e ghayb').

Through these analogies, Rumi argues that ...