Sunday 11 December 2011

Is there anything in the Quran that is similar to the Ten Commandments of the Bible



Question: Is there anything in the Quran that is similar to the Ten Commandments of the Bible?
Answer: All praise is due to Allah, thank you for directing this question to us indicating your interest in the Quran. We would be delighted to provide you with an answer.
There are verses in the Quran that were called the ‘Ten Commandments’ or the ‘ Ten Instructions’ by some scholars due to containing ten great commandments to mankind by Allah. These verses can be found in two places in the Qur'an.

In Surat Al An'aam
[1] Al An’aam: 151-153
Allah says;
(Say (O Muhammad): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from:

[1] Join not anything in worship with Him;

[2] be good and dutiful to your parents;

[3] kill not your children because of poverty" – We provide sustenance for you as well as them –

[4] "Come not near Al-Fawahish (great sins and illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly;

[5] and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you with that you may understand.

[6] And come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it until he or she attains the age of full strength;

[7] and give full measure and full weight with justice" – We burden not any person, but that which they can bear –

[8] "And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned,

[9] and fulfill the Covenant of Allah. This He commands you that you may remember.

[10] And verily, this (i.e. Allah's Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses) is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious.)[1]

In Surat Al Israa, it is as if it is an explanation of the previous verses.
[2] Al Israa: 23-39.
Allah said;

[1] And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.

[2] And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower to them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow upon them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young." Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.

[3] And give to the kinsman his due and to the Miskeen (needy) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayateen (devils), and the Shaytaan (Devil-Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. And if you turn away from them (kindred, needy, wayfarer and have no wealth at the time they ask you) and are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then speak to them a soft, kind word (i.e. Allaah will provide for me and I shall give you). And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty. Truly, your Lord increases the provision for whom He wills and straitens it (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever Well-Acquainted, All-Seer of His slaves.

[4] And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them as well as you. Surely, killing them is a great sin.

[5] And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Fahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin), and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him).

[6] And do not kill anyone whose killing Allaah has forbidden except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully (intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand Qisaas, Law of Equality in punishment – or to forgive, or to take the Diyah (blood money)]. But let him not exceed the limits in the matter of taking life (i.e. he should not kill anyone except the killer). Verily, he is aided (by the Islaamic law).

[7] And come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength.

[8] And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant will be questioned about.

[9] And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good (advantageous) and better in the end.

[10] And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, the sight and the heart, each of those one will be questioned (by Allaah). And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth nor can you attain a stature like the mountains in height.

All the bad aspects of these (the above mentioned things) are hateful to your Lord.
This is (part) of Al-Hikmah (wisdom, good manners and high character) which your Lord has revealed to you (O Muhammad). And set not up with Allaah any other ilaah (god) lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allaah's Mercy)) [2]
After you closely examine these verses O questioner, we hope you attain a better perception towards the Qur'an, a lot better than what preceded it, a stance that opens a way for you to make fundamental changes in your life, a noble way that enables you to embrace the religion of Islam. We wish you continuous success, and may peace be upon those who follow guidance.
Source: Al Mawsoo’ah #2273
Note: Numbering of the ‘Commandments’ or ‘Instructions’ has been added by the translator for easier reading

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