Do Muslims believe in the Ten Commandments?
Yes, in spirit. Muslims believe God gave Moses commandments written on tablets, and almost all of the Ten Commandments are also taught in the Quran: worship one God, honour your parents, don't kill, steal, commit adultery or lie. The main difference is the Sabbath, which Muslims don't keep.
The tablets of Moses in the Quran
The Quran tells how God gave Moses tablets with guidance: "And We wrote for him on the tablets [something] of all things - instruction and explanation for all things" (Quran 7:145). Muslims believe in Moses as one of the greatest prophets and in the Torah as a revelation from God. See Can I keep my Bible after becoming Muslim?
The same commands, in the Quran
The Quran doesn't list exactly "ten," but a well-known passage reads very much like them:
The next verse continues with fair dealing, honest speech and keeping promises (Quran 6:152), and Quran 17:23 and the verses after it repeat many of the same rules.
How each commandment compares
- No other gods, no idols: the core of Islam. Muslims worship God alone and don't use images in worship.
- Don't misuse God's name: Muslims treat God's name with great respect and avoid careless oaths.
- Honour your parents: strongly commanded, even toward non-Muslim parents.
- Don't murder, commit adultery, steal, lie or covet: all clearly taught in Islam.
- Keep the Sabbath: this one is different. The Quran says "the sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it" (Quran 16:124). Muslims have Friday prayer instead, but it isn't a day of rest from all work.
Why the overlap?
Muslims believe Moses and Muhammad ﷺ received revelation from the same God, so it makes sense that the core moral rules match. For Jewish and Christian families, these shared values are a natural bridge. See Can I become Muslim if I'm Jewish?
Islam then adds more detail through the Quran and Sunnah, such as prayer, fasting and charity. See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
- Muslims believe God gave Moses commandments on tablets.
- Nearly all ten are also found in the Quran.
- Quran 6:151-152 is the closest parallel.
- The Sabbath is the main commandment Muslims don't keep.
People also ask
Will Christians and Jews go to heaven in Islam?
It depends: Islam teaches faithful Jews and Christians before Muhammad are rewarded, and those who never truly heard are judged with justice.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe all religions are the same?
No, Muslims don't believe all religions are the same, but they believe every prophet taught one core message: worship the One God.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in reincarnation?
No, Muslims don't believe in reincarnation. Islam teaches one life, then barzakh and resurrection on Judgment Day. Here's why.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in miracles?
Yes, Muslims believe in miracles, from Moses parting the sea to Jesus healing the sick. The Quran is seen as the greatest miracle.
Read the full answer →Can my kids go to church with their grandparents?
Can your kids go to church with their grandparents? Sunday services: most say no; weddings or funerals: often yes, without joining rites.
Read the full answer →