The Quran, like the earlier revealed scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel, provides timeless commandments and divine guidance to direct mankind toward the straight path of righteousness. Among these instructions, one can find a powerful reflection of The Ten Commandments in the Quran, reaffirming the core moral and ethical principles that have been emphasized throughout prophetic traditions. These include worshiping only Allah, honoring one’s parents, speaking the truth, avoiding murder, theft, and adultery, and maintaining justice in all affairs. By preserving and elaborating on these universal values, the Quran serves as a comprehensive and enduring source of spiritual and moral direction for all of humanity.
Allah says in the Quran:
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Come! Let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate others with Him ˹in worship˺. ˹Do not fail to˺ honour your parents. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for you and for them. Do not come near indecencies, openly or secretly. Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right.1 This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will understand.
And do not come near the wealth of the orphan—unless intending to enhance it—until they attain maturity. Give full measure and weigh with justice. We never require any soul more than what it can afford. Whenever you speak, maintain justice—even regarding a close relative. And fulfil your covenant with Allah. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be mindful.
Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be conscious ˹of Allah˺.” (Al-An’am 6:151-153)
These ten commandments cover themes of worship, belief, ethics, morality, and laws related to social, economic, and societal matters. They bear similarities to the Ten Commandments found in the Torah given to the lost sheep of Israel. The commandments found in both scriptures align in their emphasis on social justice, morality, intentionality, and universality.
There are five prohibitions to awaken the human mind and intellect:
- “Do not associate anything in worship alongside God “
- Worshipping anything alongside God is the gravest sin, nullifying all righteous deeds.
- ˹”Do not fail to˺ honour your parents”
- Kindness to parents ranks second only to worshipping God alone, emphasized repeatedly across the Quran.
- “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty”
- Allah has forbidden infanticide and abortion due to material anxiety, since sustenance comes from God’s treasures.
- “Do not approach indecencies, openly or secretly”
- God has forbidden all types of immorality, corruption, and hypocrisy, as these corrupt societal and individual purity.
- “Do not take a life unjustly” as murder is a grave sin, and killing someone unjustly is like the killing of mankind.
- Murder is a great crime before God, equal to killing all humanity (Quran 5:32).
Then comes the four commandments to foster social responsibility:
- “Protect orphans’ wealth”
- God consistently warns throughout the Quran against taking advantage of society’s vulnerable.
- “Give full measure and weight with justice”
- Honesty in trade and financial transactions is crucial for societal prosperity and justice.
- “Speak justly, even against kin”
- Believers are consistently advised to be truthful and just, regardless of personal relationships.
- “Fulfill covenants with Allah”
- Keeping promises and commitments demonstrates accountability towards God, then society.
The final commandment emphasizes the outcome of implementing these nine commandments, which is to attain God-consciousness:
- “Follow the Straight Path”
- Adhering to these principles guides individuals and societies toward righteousness, morality, and God’s pleasure.
These timeless commandments are essential in today’s society, which is overwhelmed with social injustice, moral decay, and materialism, as they stress reliance on Allah, uphold moral integrity, encourage honoring parents, and protect life.
For anyone searching for deeper meaning or wanting to understand the message of Islam firsthand, discovering the Quran can be a truly eye-opening journey. The Quran isn’t just a religious book—it’s a source of timeless wisdom, offering guidance, clarity, and peace to hearts seeking truth. Learning the facts about the Quran can help uncover how it has shaped lives and civilizations for centuries.
To make this journey accessible to all, many organizations now offer a free Quran to those interested. Whether you’re simply curious or exploring faith more seriously, you can get a free Quran by mail or request a free Quran in English—a thoughtful and welcoming way to learn directly from the source. For many, receiving this free Quran gift has been the beginning of a powerful spiritual transformation.
If you’ve already experienced the beauty and guidance of the Quran, you can help others do the same by choosing to donate Quran copies. Sharing the Quran is more than a kind gesture—it’s a way of passing on light, comfort, and direction to someone who may be searching for it.