Do Muslims believe in the Ten Commandments?

Muslims believe Allah revealed divine laws to Prophet Moses on stone Tablets (Al-Alwah). While Islam upholds the core moral principles like worshipping one God, honoring parents, and forbidding murder, it does not refer to them as a specific list of ten. The Quran emphasizes them as a comprehensive guidance and criterion (Al-Furqan).

What are the Tablets (Al-Alwah) mentioned in the Quran?

According to the Quran (7:145), the Tablets (Al-Alwah) were divinely inscribed for Prophet Moses and contained 'admonition and explanation for all things.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain these were the core of the Torah, providing a complete legal and moral guide for the Children of Israel directly from Allah.

How does the Quran's account of the Ten Commandments differ from the Bible's?

The Quran confirms that Moses received divine laws on tablets but does not enumerate them as a list of ten. Instead, it highlights their comprehensive nature as a 'Criterion' (Al-Furqan) and a guide for 'all things'. The core moral laws are affirmed throughout the Quran, such as in verses 6:151-153, but not as part of the Sinai revelation narrative.

The Ten Commandments in Islam: Divine Tablets of Guidance for Moses

Ten Commandments

Explore Verses Related to Ten Commandments

🕌Al-Baqarah2:53 🕋Al-A'raf7:145

At a Glance

In Islamic tradition, the concept known as the 'Ten Commandments' is understood through the divine revelation of the Tablets (Al-Alwah) to Prophet Moses (Musa). The Quran, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:145), describes these tablets as being divinely inscribed with 'admonition and instruction concerning all things,' serving as a comprehensive guide for the Children of Israel. According to classical scholarship, including the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, these Tablets contained the essence of the Torah, establishing a complete legal and ethical framework. Furthermore, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:53) refers to this revelation as 'the Scripture and the Criterion (Al-Furqan),' emphasizing its role in distinguishing truth from falsehood. While the Quran affirms the universal moral laws found within the Decalogue—such as the oneness of God, honoring parents, and prohibitions against murder and theft—it does not present them as a distinct list of ten. Instead, it focuses on the holistic nature of the divine guidance given to Moses as a complete methodology for life.

📖 Quranic Context

Represents a significant moment of divine law being revealed to humanity through a prophet.

A direct communication from Allah, inscribed as a permanent guide for the Children of Israel.

References: The concept is primarily detailed in Surah Al-A'raf (7:145).

💭 Theological Perspective

Provides humanity with a clear criterion (Al-Furqan) to distinguish right from wrong.

Acts as a source of admonition and moral guidance intended to shape the community's conscience.

A foundational legal and ethical framework given to a major prophet and his nation.

Following the guidance on the Tablets is a means of spiritual success and avoiding the fate of the wicked.

📜 Hadith Perspective

While the Quran is central, hadith literature elaborates on Prophet Moses's life and his receiving of the revelation.

Prophet Muhammad's confirmation of Moses's prophethood.
The universal nature of core moral laws across all prophets.

Universal agreement on the historical and theological importance of the revelation given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

💎 Deeper Insights

The Quran's description of the revelation to Moses as 'Al-Furqan' (The Criterion) is theologically significant, as the Quran itself is also named Al-Furqan. This parallel highlights a core tenet of Islamic belief: the function of all divine scripture is to provide a clear standard to distinguish between truth and falsehood, showing a continuity in the purpose of revelation from Moses to Muhammad.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari

While the Bible lists ten specific commandments, the Quran's emphasis in 7:145 is on the *comprehensiveness* of the Tablets, which contained 'admonition and explanation for all things.' This shifts the focus from a minimal list of prohibitions to a complete and proactive methodology for building a righteous society, a subtle but profound difference in theological framing.

— Comparative Tafsir