The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are a set of ethical and spiritual principles central to both Judaism and Christianity. These commandments were revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai and are found in the Bible in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. While the exact structure of the Ten Commandments is not found in the Quran, Islam embraces similar teachings and principles through verses scattered throughout its holy book. Both scriptures emphasize monotheism, justice, and morality, reflecting the shared values of the Abrahamic faiths.
In this blog, we will examine each of the Ten Commandments alongside Quranic verses that convey similar messages, highlighting the common ethical framework between the Bible and the Quran.
1. "I am the Lord your God"
This commandment establishes God’s authority as the deliverer of Israel from Egypt, emphasizing His unique role as the one true God.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:2)
Hebrew:
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים.
English:
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Taha 20:14)
Arabic:
إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي.
English:
"Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance."
Explanation:
Both verses establish God's supreme authority, stressing that He alone should be worshipped. The Bible speaks of God as the deliverer of Israel, while the Quran highlights God as the singular deity worthy of worship, without partners or equals.
2. "You shall have no other gods before Me"
This commandment forbids the worship of other gods or idols, emphasizing the exclusivity of God's divinity.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:3)
Hebrew:
לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל־פָּנָי.
English:
"You shall have no other gods before Me."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:163)
Arabic:
وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ.
English:
"And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful."
Explanation:
Both scriptures clearly state that God alone is to be worshipped. The Bible instructs that no other gods are to be placed before Him, while the Quran confirms the oneness of God (Allah) as the only entity deserving of worship.
3. "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God"
This commandment prohibits taking God's name in vain or using it dishonestly.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:7)
Hebrew:
לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת־שֵׁם־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לַשָּׁוְא כִּי לֹא יְנַקֶּה יְהוָה אֵת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ לַשָּׁוְא.
English:
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Hajj 22:30)
Arabic:
فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ.
English:
"So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statements."
Explanation:
Both verses condemn using God’s name in a false or disrespectful manner. The Bible focuses on not taking God's name in vain, while the Quran emphasizes avoiding false testimony, including dishonesty involving God’s name.
4. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy"
This commandment calls for dedicating one day a week to rest and worship, as a day set aside for God.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:8)
Hebrew:
זָכוֹר אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ.
English:
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."
Quranic Parallel (Surah An-Nahl 16:124)
Arabic:
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ السَّبْتُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ.
English:
"The Sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ."
Explanation:
The Bible instructs to keep the Sabbath as a holy day, a day of rest dedicated to God. The Quran acknowledges the Sabbath as a commandment for the followers of earlier scriptures, highlighting the special status of the day for the Jews.
5. "Honor your father and your mother"
This commandment promotes respect and honor for one's parents.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:12)
Hebrew:
כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ.
English:
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Isra 17:23)
Arabic:
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا.
English:
"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment."
Explanation:
Both the Bible and the Quran emphasize the importance of respecting and honoring one's parents. The Bible ties this to the promise of a long life, while the Quran links it to a command from God, emphasizing kindness and respect.
6. "You shall not murder"
This commandment prohibits unlawful killing.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:13)
Hebrew:
לֹא תִּרְצָח.
English:
"You shall not murder."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Maidah 5:32)
Arabic:
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا.
English:
"... Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely."
Explanation:
Both the Bible and Quran categorically forbid murder, with the Quran adding that taking a life unjustly is as if one has killed all of humanity. Both emphasize the sanctity of human life.
7. "You shall not commit adultery"
This commandment forbids engaging in extramarital sexual relations.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:14)
Hebrew:
לֹא תִּנְאָף.
English:
"You shall not commit adultery."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Isra 17:32)
Arabic:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَىٰ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا.
English:
"And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way."
Explanation:
Both the Bible and the Quran prohibit adultery and sexual immorality. The Quran further warns against even approaching such actions, emphasizing the gravity of the sin.
8. "You shall not steal"
This commandment forbids theft.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:15)
Hebrew:
לֹא תִּגְנֹב.
English:
"You shall not steal."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Maidah 5:38)
Arabic:
وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ.
English:
"[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent from Allah."
Explanation:
Both the Bible and the Quran condemn theft, though the punishments outlined in the Quran are more specific, reflecting the seriousness of the crime in both religious texts.
9. "You shall not give false testimony"
This commandment prohibits lying, especially in legal matters.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:16)
Hebrew:
לֹא־תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁקֶר.
English:
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
Quranic Parallel (Surah Al-Hajj 22:30)
Arabic:
وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ.
English:
"And avoid false statements."
Explanation:
Both scriptures emphasize honesty and integrity. The Bible warns against bearing false witness, especially in court, while the Quran encourages avoiding false statements in all aspects of life.
10. "You shall not covet"
This commandment forbids desiring what belongs to others.
Biblical Verse (Exodus 20:17)
Hebrew:
לֹא־תַחְמֹד בֵּית רֵעֶךָ לֹא־תַחְמֹד אֵשֶׁת רֵעֶךָ וְעַבְדּוֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ וְשׁוֹרוֹ וַחֲמֹרוֹ וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לְרֵעֶךָ.
English:
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Quranic Parallel (Surah An-Nisa 4:32)
Arabic:
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ.
English:
"And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others."
Explanation:
Both scriptures discourage envy and coveting the possessions or status of others. The Bible specifically lists what should not be coveted, while the Quran generalizes the principle, encouraging contentment with one's own circumstances.
Conclusion
The Ten Commandments serve as a moral foundation in the Bible, and the Quran echoes these teachings through various verses that promote monotheism, honesty, respect, and justice. The shared ethical principles between these two scriptures underscore the common spiritual heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both the Bible and the Quran provide a framework for righteous living, guiding believers to lead lives of integrity and devotion to God.
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