Summary of 10 Rules of Islam: The Qur’an’s Commandments for Muslims
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While Islam doesn’t have a single list called “The 10 Rules,” core principles from the Quran and Sunnah emphasize worshipping one God (Allah), honoring parents, prohibiting murder, theft, adultery, and injustice, and promoting compassion, honesty, and fulfilling obligations, often summarized by the Five Pillars (declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage) and Shi’a Islam’s Ten Obligatory Acts.
Core Quranic Commandments (Inspired by Surah Al-An’am 6:151-153)
Worship Allah Alone: Do not associate partners with God (no idolatry).
Honor Parents: Be good to your parents.
Do Not Kill Children: Out of poverty or fear.
Avoid Immorality: Don’t approach shameless deeds (adultery, fornication).
Do Not Kill Innocents: Except by right (justice).
Do Not Approach Orphan’s Property: Except to improve it.
Give Full Measure & Weight: Be just in dealings.
Fulfill Promises: Keep your covenants.
Follow the Straight Path: Obey Allah’s commands.
Do Not Follow Other Paths: Avoid deviation.
The Five Pillars of Islam (Core Practices)
Shahada: Declaration of faith (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is His messenger).
Salat: Performing five daily prayers.
Zakat: Giving charity to the needy.
Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca (if able).
Ten Rules of Warfare (Prophet Muhammad)
Exercise patience.
Do not kill women, children, the elderly, or the sick.
Do not harm monks or places of worship.
Do not destroy villages, fields, or gardens.
Do not be treacherous or cut down fruit trees.
Do not slaughter animals except for food.
Do not destroy inhabited places.
Do not burn bees.
Do not steal or be a coward.
Free captives and help the hungry/sick.
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This article was co-authored by Idris Abdul-Zahir and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Idris Abdul-Zahir is a spiritual leader, civic innovator, and IT executive based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Resident Imam and Board Chair of Masjidullah: The Center for Human Excellence, where he has led one of the city’s most active and civically engaged Muslim congregations for over five years. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Imam for two years. Appointed in 2024 to Philadelphia’s first-ever Commission on Muslim Engagement and to Governor Josh Shapiro’s Advisory Commission for African American Affairs, Idris plays a key role in shaping inclusive policy and civic engagement across the state. In the public sector, Idris brings nearly two decades of experience in technology leadership. As Deputy Chief Information Officer, he oversees enterprise IT operations, including service strategy and communications infrastructure, with a focus on equitable digital transformation. Idris Abdul-Zahir is committed to transforming systems, narratives, and lives through faith, service, and inclusive leadership.
There are 48 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Although the Qur’an has the same prophets as Jewish and Christian texts, it doesn’t have a list of 10 primary commandments for Muslims to follow. However, Islam does have rules that are similar to the 10 commandments (plus many others). Keep reading to learn more.
Things You Should Know
- The Qur’an doesn’t include the Ten Commandments like the New and Old Testament do—however, it does have similar moral rules.
- The Qur’an states that there is only one god[1] , idols are not authorized by Allah (God), and to keep away from those who misuse Allah’s name.
- It also says to not kill except under the law, commit adultery, or steal another’s wealth or property.
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References
- ↑ Idris Abdul-Zahir. Imam and Islam Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ Idris Abdul-Zahir. Imam and Islam Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/beliefs.html
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=163
- ↑ https://quran.com/35?startingVerse=1
- ↑ Idris Abdul-Zahir. Imam and Islam Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-3-articles-of-faith/
- ↑ Idris Abdul-Zahir. Imam and Islam Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://quran.com/64?startingVerse=9
- ↑ https://quran.com/64?startingVerse=10
- ↑ Idris Abdul-Zahir. Imam and Islam Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://sites.udel.edu/msadelaware/six-major-beliefs-in-islam/
- ↑ https://quran.com/33?startingVerse=40
- ↑ https://quran.com/47?startingVerse=2
- ↑ https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-one/the-five-pillars-of-islam
- ↑ https://quran.com/62?startingVerse=9
- ↑ https://quran.com/11?startingVerse=114
- ↑ https://quran.com/30?startingVerse=17
- ↑ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/beliefs.html
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=43
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=215
- ↑ https://www.brandeis.edu/spiritual-life/resources/guide-to-observances/ramadan.html
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=185
- ↑ https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2022/07/the-hajj-to-mecca/
- ↑ https://quran.com/22?startingVerse=27
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/war.shtml
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/capitalpunishment.shtml
- ↑ https://quran.com/5?startingVerse=32
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=190
- ↑ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/muslims/beliefs.html
- ↑ https://quran.com/20?startingVerse=61
- ↑ https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=32
- ↑ https://quran.com/5?startingVerse=3
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071164/
- ↑ https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/key-6-respect-keys-to-prophetic-parenting
- ↑ https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=23
- ↑ https://blog.une.edu.au/new-england-muslims/2019/11/14/the-75-good-manners-commandments-in-the-quran/comment-page-1/
- ↑ https://quran.com/22?startingVerse=30
- ↑ https://quran.com/49?startingVerse=12
- ↑ https://quran.com/28?startingVerse=76
- ↑ https://quran.com/49?startingVerse=11
- ↑ https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=26
- ↑ https://quran.com/5?startingVerse=89
- ↑ https://quran.com/3?startingVerse=134
- ↑ https://quran.com/24?startingVerse=15
- ↑ https://quran.com/33?startingVerse=58
- ↑ https://quran.com/25?startingVerse=63
- ↑ https://quran.com/41?startingVerse=34
- ↑ https://quran.com/6?startingVerse=108
- ↑ https://quran.com/49?startingVerse=9
- ↑ https://quran.com/31?startingVerse=19
- ↑ https://quran.com/24?startingVerse=27
- ↑ https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=231
- ↑ https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/2014/04/24/islamic-law-and-rules-war
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- “It’s a very beautiful article! especially that it was compiled with verses from The Qur’an!! Just what I was looking for! Jazakallah khayr ~Made my day :).”…” more