At times we become aware of the existence of an object or its properties in the physical world. This type of awareness (i.e. sense perception) is subsequent to a kind of sensory experience and the receptivity of the senses to external influence. Given the impossibility of any similarity between such affections and external realities, it becomes clear that sensory affections are not themselves concepts and do not represent anything beyond themselves. Accordingly, Islamic philosophers maintain that reliance upon sensory affection alone can never yield sense perception of a sensible object in the physical world as the cause of that affection. Hence, contrary to the prevailing view of sensationalists in Western philosophy, other factors are required in this process, including intellect, rational arguments, and the employment of multiple universal concepts. What makes it difficult to identify and analyze the links in this process – from sensory experience to sense perception – is the presence of at least four concepts and the realization of two similar realities in succession. Drawing on the epistemological foundations of Allamah Mesbah Yazdi and employing a descriptive method, this article seeks to analyze these concepts and realities, to distinguish them from one another, and to elucidate their constructive roles in the formation of sense perception.