Are the Ten Commandments in the Quran?
To assess the authenticity and divine nature of the Ten Commandments, we must critically analyse the biblical and Quranic narratives surrounding their revelation. By comparing these accounts, we can determine whether the commandments as presented in the Old Testament are genuine or if they have been altered over time.
The Biblical Account:
Did the Commandments Survive?
The Old Testament describes a pivotal moment when Musa (Moses) descended from Mount Sinai and, in a fit of anger, shattered the stone tablets upon witnessing his people worshipping the golden calf.
(Usage of Biblical narration only for cross-examination purposes)
Exodus 32:19
“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.”
This verse suggests that the commandments were lost—smashed beyond recovery. If they were destroyed, how were they preserved? How do we know the exact words inscribed on them? The Old Testament does not provide a clear resolution to this contradiction.
The Quranic Perspective: A Crucial Difference
Unlike the Bible, the Quran narrates that although Musa, in his anger, threw down the tablets, they weren't broken and later recovered.
Surah Al-A’raf 7:150
“And when Musa returned to his people, wrathful (and) in violent grief, he said: Evil is it that you have done after me; did you turn away from the bidding of your Lord? And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the head, dragging him towards him. He said: Son of my mother! surely the people reckoned me weak and had well-nigh slain me, therefore make not the enemies to rejoice over me and count me not among the unjust people.”
Surah Al-A’raf 7:154
“And when Musa’s anger calmed down, he took up the tablets, and in the writing thereof was guidance and mercy for those who fear for the sake of their Lord.”
This is a fundamental distinction: according to the Quran, the commandments were not permanently lost. Musa retrieved them, ensuring that the divine guidance remained intact.
Implications: Were the Ten Commandments Altered?
If the biblical account is correct and the original tablets were broken, then what we have today as the “Ten Commandments” is a reconstructed version, not the actual revelation given to Musa. This raises a profound question: how much of what is written in the Bible today truly reflects the original message?
The Quran does not explicitly list the Ten Commandments in the same format as the Old Testament. Instead, it provides fundamental moral and spiritual principles that form the core of divine guidance.
The Ten Commandments in the Quran
In Surah Al-Ahzab 33:33, we are introduced to the Ahlul Bayt (People of the House), those purified by Allah. In Surah Al-Ahzab 33:35, ten essential qualities are listed—characteristics that define those who are truly righteous and spiritually aligned with divine will:
1. Muslim men and Muslim women (Submission)
2. Believing men and believing women (Faith)
3. Obedient men and obedient women (Obedience to Allah)
4. Truthful men and truthful women (Honesty)
5. Patient men and patient women (Perseverance)
6. Humble men and humble women (Humility)
7. Charitable men and charitable women (Generosity)
8. Fasting men and fasting women (Discipline)
9. Men who guard their chastity and women who do the same (Purity)
10. Men who remember Allah often and women who do the same (Remembrance of Allah)
These qualities serve as a deeper, more profound moral code—one that extends beyond mere legalistic prohibitions and actively cultivates personal and spiritual growth.
Conclusion:
What is the True Divine Guidance?
The biblical account raises critical doubts about the authenticity of the Ten Commandments as we know them today. If they were broken, how can we be sure the current version is unchanged? The Quran provides a clearer, more consistent narrative—one that not only preserves the divine message but also offers a more comprehensive framework for morality and righteousness.
Ultimately, divine guidance is not limited to a set of ten rules; it is a living, breathing path of faith, reflected in the Quran’s emphasis on sincerity, discipline, and devotion.
