The Ways of Ascent: Surah 70 and the Masonic Spiritual Journey
What if the path to enlightenment isn’t a straight line, but a series of steps you must climb one at a time? Surah 70 of the Quran, known as Al-Ma’arij — The Ways of Ascent — describes how the human soul can elevate itself through patience, compassion, and moral steadfastness. At first glance, this ancient text might seem far removed from the rituals of a Masonic lodge. But look more closely and a striking kinship emerges: the idea that spiritual growth demands a conscious, gradual ascent. In this article, we engage with this centuries-old scripture and ask what it has to say about the inner journey that also lies at the heart of Freemasonry. What Is The Ways of Ascent Really About? Surah 70 is a relatively short but powerful text of 44 verses, revealed in Mecca. Its title refers to the “ways of ascent” by which angels and the Spirit rise toward God. The surah opens with someone demanding divine punishment, as though the inevitable judgment were a distant abstraction. The text then confronts humanity with its own impatience, its greed, and its tendency to turn away from higher things. But there is hope. The surah also describes those […]