Comparison of the Ten Commandments with similar passages in the Qur'an

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Overview:

The Ten Commandments are also called the Decalogue. There are three versions of the Ten Commandments mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures -- a.k.a. Old Testament. All are different. They can be found at Exodus 20:2-17, Exodus 34:12-26, and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. They all differ. However, the version in Exodus 20 is by far the most commonly cited.

Depending upon how Ten Commandments are interpreted, the Exodus 20 version contain a total of 19 to 25 separate instructions that various faith groups have sorted into ten commandments. They form part of the 613 injunctions, prohibitions and commands which make up the Mosaic Code.

The Qur'an is the revealed text that Muslims believe was dictated by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad, the greatest and final of the prophets of God.

The Qur'an appears to refer to the Decalogue and to urge that they be followed; however it does not contain the actual text:

007.145 "And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): 'Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts'..."

Although it does not contain the Decalogue as a unit, phrases throughout the Qur'an are very similar to the Ten Commandments. Some comparisons are listed below:

Comparison of verses from the Hebrew Scriptures and Qur'an:

Concerning the Sabbath:

The Qur'an, at 16:124, states that the Sabbath day of complete rest was only required for Jews.

However, congregational prayer (called Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is held on Friday evenings. Muslims are expected to attend. In 62:9, it states: "O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business."

Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli, spiritual leader of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, near Princeton, said: "While the notion of Sabbath rest is not found in Islam, more and more Muslims are finding time for Friday’s communal midday prayers" ₃ According to Monique Parsons' essay in Beliefnet.com: "As many as 1,500 people break from work on Fridays to enter Chebli’s mosque to pray quietly, reflect on a weekly sermon and worship as a community." ₃

Related sections on this web site that may be of interest:

References used:

1. From the King James Version of the Bible.

2. Arsalan Iftikhar, "Islam-OpEd: The Ten Commandments - God's Law, Man's Choice," Islam Infonet, 2005-FEB-28.

3. Monique Parsons, "Sabbath Chic: People of many faiths are finding the up side to down time," Beleifnet.com, at: http://www.beliefnet.com/

4. "The Ten Commandments in the Qur'an," Holy Qur'an Resources on the Internet, at: http://www.quran.org.uk/