Comprehensive Definition
AL-MAʿĀRIJ (المعارج) - The Arabic term Al-Maʿārij translates to “The Ascents” or “The Steps.” Centrally featured in the 70th chapter of the Qurʾān, the term refers to divine steps or ladders by which angels ascend to the presence of God. This chapter delves into the dimensions and significance of this ascension, which is described as taking place “in a day whose space is fifty thousand years.” This timeframe offers a glimpse into the abstract conception of divine time as portrayed in Islamic theology.
Etymology
Al-Maʿārij derives from the Arabic root “ʿ-r-j,” which broadly pertains to actions related to ascending or mounting. The specific form “maʿārij” means steps or ladders, symbolizing the stages or means through which heavenly beings move upwards.
Background and Interpretations
The chapter titled AL-MAʿĀRIJ offers profound insights into Islamic eschatology and metaphysics. According to traditional Islamic exegesis — such as those by al-Baiẓāwī and Zamaksharī — it contemplates the journey of the angels and Gabriel (the Spirit), who ascend towards God by steps that represent higher states of spiritual awareness or authority. The timeframe indicated — fifty thousand years — is interpreted in variegated ways by scholars.
While some believe it to measure the distance from the lowest part of creation to the Throne of God, others see it as allegorical, representing the vastness and incomprehensibility of divine time relative to human understanding. The differing interpretations underscore the rich, multifaceted nature of Islamic theology and how it reconciles divine omnipotence with human experience.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
The concept of spiritual ascension in Islam shares similarities with other religious traditions that embody notions of advancing towards a higher divine reality, such as the Judaic vision of Jacob’s ladder or Christian beliefs in ascending to heaven. In each instance, the ascent typically symbolizes spiritual purification and closeness to the divine.
Culturally, interpretations of Al-Maʿārij can also vary within Islamic thought, reflecting denominational nuances — such as Sunni, Shia, or Sufi perspectives — which may emphasize different aspects of the climb towards divine proximity.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- ʿUrūj (عروج): Another Arabic term for ascent often used in Islamic metaphysics.
- Miʿrāj (معراج): Refers specifically to the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey and ascension.
- Suluk (سلوك): Refers to the spiritual journey or path one undertakes towards God, especially in Sufi contexts.
- Ladders/Steps (سلالم/درجات) used symbolically in divine and mystical contexts.
Antonyms
- Descent (نزول)
- Fall (سقوط)
These terms imply a movement away from higher spiritual or divine states, into worldly or lower spiritual states.
Fun Facts
- The concept of spiritual ascension resonates deeply in Sufi traditions, often symbolized through poetic imagery and mystical practices aiming for union with the Divine.
- The colloquial phrase “The sky is the limit” could find spiritual resonance with the infinite divine ascension reflected in Islamic mysticism.
Quotations
-
Ibn ʿArabī:
“In each ascent, God’s magnanimity becomes ever more illuminated, a journey endless by virtue.”
-
Rūmī:
“Whoever climbs divine steps, finds the treasures of the unseen universe.”
Suggested Literature
- “The Mystical Dimensions of Islam” by Annemarie Schimmel
- “The Divine Reality: God, Islam, and the Mirage of Atheism” by Hamza Andreas Tzortzis
- “Mutual Reminding: An Islamic Guide to Humility, Reward, and Masjid Guidelines” by Dr. Abdul Hayy Kadavpur
📚Quizzes
Farewell Thought: In reflecting upon the majestic ascent towards the divine reality in AL-MAʿĀRIJ, let us strive to ascend in our own spiritual journeys, reaching for the depths of understanding and boundless compassion.
— Fatimah Ali, October 4, 2023
