It is Possible to Meet the Prophet (s.a.w.) in a Waking State

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Imam Shihab ad-Din Ahmad ibn Ghanum an-Nafrawi al-Maliki (r.a.) wrote, “It is possible to see the Prophet (s.a.w.) in a waking state as well as in one’s sleep by consensus of the ahadits masters.  The debate is, however, whether one sees his noble essence or an image of it.  The first is the opinion of some, while the second is held by al-Ghazali, al-Qarafi, al-Yafi’i, and others.  The first opinion is supported by the fact the Prophet (s.a.w.) is the lamp and light of guidance and the sun of the gnosis.  Therefore, as one sees the light, the lamp, and the sun distinctly, and what is seen is a body of the sun caused by its accidents, likewise the Prophet’s (s.a.w.) noble body.  Therefore, nothing leaves his body in his grave, rather Allah (s.w.t.) Removes the veils so one can see him in his location no matter his location, be it east or west.  Or, the veils are kept but made transparent so as not to veil what is behind them.  What al-Qarafi has argued, however, is that seeing the Prophet (s.a.w.) in a night vision is accomplished by the heart, which is not blocked by the aspects of sleep.  Therefore, the vision is through one’s inner perception, not one’s actual vision.  The proof of this is that even a blind person can see him.”