Spiritual Ascent
Question:-
What does "ascent" mean in the Quran.
Answer:-
This answer is for those who are mystically, esoterically or spiritually minded. It should provide a framework, one way within which Islam can be understood.
The readers are asked to meditate and understand, if they can, on the esoteric or spiritual meaning of the following:-
"Does he (man) think that no one sees him? Have We not made for him two eyes And a tongue, and two lips? And guided him in the two highways? But he has not attempted the ascent! And what will explain to thee the ascent? It is freeing slaves (captives), or feeding on the day of privation, an orphan who is a kin, or a destitute lying in the dust ( of misery); and again (it is) to be of those who believe and encourage each other to patience, and encourage each other to mercy, these are the fellows of the right!" 90:7-18
Clue:- we are all slaves to something, and orphans etc.
"Thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease run about among them, saying: We fear lest a reversal befall us. It may be that Allah will give thee victory, or a commandment from Himself, and they may awake repenting of their secret thoughts." 5:52
"Say: I exhort you only to one thing that ye awake for Allah's sake (or stand up before Allah) in twos or singly, then ponder: " 34:46
"We have created man from an extract of clay; then We made him a drop in a safe depository; then We made the drop into a clot, and We made the clot into a lump; then We made the lump into bone, and We clothed the bone with flesh; then We produced from it another creature. Blessed be Allah, the best of Creators. Then shall ye after that surely die; Then, lo! On the Day of Resurrection shall ye surely be raised. And We have created above you seven paths; and We are never heedless of creation. " 23:12-17
"So I do call as witness the glow of sunset; and the night, and what it enshrouds; and the moon in her fullness, that ye shall surely travel from plane to plane. " 84:16-19
Creation takes place downwards from Allah through the 7 heavens to the earth. Ascent is the return to Allah. The first is involution and the second is evolution. Perhaps the Universe is maintained by a balance between the two.
"He directs the ordinance (regulates all affairs) from the heaven to the earth; then shall it ascend to Him in a Day the measure of which is a thousand years of what you count." 32:5
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