Summary
The article explains the Qur’anic Ten Commandments from Surah Al-An‘am as essential guidelines to avoid sin, uphold justice, and follow Allah’s path, leading believers toward true taqwa and righteousness.
(Surah al-Anaam is one of the longest Surah that was revealed in one go, except for a few verses that were read later. Ibn Abbas says that this Surah was revealed in the company of 70,000 angels. This Surah is also known as the Surah of Aqeedah. Among the various information and arguments in favor of Tawheed, the 10 Commandments in this Surah guide the believers to protect themselves from haram and develop Taqwa. This article discusses the deeds that divert one from Taqwa)
Say, (O Prophet) “Come! Let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate others with Him. Do not fail to honor your parents. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for you and them. Do not come near indecencies, openly or secretly. Do not take a human life—made sacred by Allah—except with legal right. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will understand.
And do not come near the wealth of the orphan—unless intending to enhance it—until they attain maturity. Give full measure and weigh with justice. We never require of any soul more than what it can afford. Whenever you speak, maintain justice—even regarding a close relative. And fulfill your covenant with Allah. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be Muttaqeen.
Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it and do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way. This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will be Muttaqeen [Surah Al Anam, 151-153]
Every Muslim needs to observe Taqwa whether he is a born Muslim or embraces Islam as a faith. Many people are under the illusion that merely doing good deeds, such as offering prayer, giving charity, or performing pilgrimage is enough to become a Muttaqun. However, while performing goodness, they also indulge in prohibited acts, such as indecency, backbiting, interest base transactions, and cheating and forgery in business. If you study the 10 Commandments mentioned above, you will notice that disobedience of Allah can lead to the destruction of good deeds and place a person away from the straight path, and place him deep into the valley of deviation. However, clinging to the above commands will qualify the person to be pious. The Ten Commandments should be implemented even more so during Ramadan, so that it passes with Taqwa. If you study them carefully, you will notice that most of these commandments are abandoned, even during the month of Ramadan, and people continue to commit such sins even after it.- Do not do shirk – Allah has made it very clear in His Book that shirk (polytheism) is the most heinous of all sins. He will forgive any sin he wants, but not shirk. In Surah Luqman, Allah describes shirk as the biggest sin,
“Luqman said to his son, “O my son, Do not do shirk as shirk is the biggest sin of all.” [Surah Luqman: 13]
Allah makes it very clear that he will not pardon this sin at all. In Surah al-Nisa, Allah declares two times that shirk is an unpardonable sin.“Indeed Allah does not forgive shirk. He may forgive any other sins but shirk.” [Surah Nisa’: 48, 116]
- Do not fail to honor your parents – There are six places in the Quran where Allah has connected being dutiful towards parents immediately after forbidding shirk. Ata’ bin Yasir reported that a man once came to Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) and said, “I proposed to a lady and she refused to marry me and married another man. So I became jealous and killed her. Can I repent from this?” Ibn Abbas asked, “Is your mother alive?” He replied, “No.” So he said, “Do as much Tawba as you can.” Ata’ said, “I asked Ibn Abbas, ‘Why did you ask him if his mother was alive?’” He replied, “I do not know of any action that brings one closer to Allah than being dutiful to the mother,” (Al-Adab Al Mufrad Hadith:4 and As-Sahiha: 2799)
- Do not kill your children out of the fear of poverty, We provide rizq (provisions) to you and them – Today killing of children has taken a new form in abortion. People refuse to have children, and if they do, then they only have one or two. This is because they do not want to share their time, attention, and income with their children. Allah says it is He who provides rizq to the parents as well as the children. Children are a source of joy and assistance in our old age. The Quran testifies to this,
“And Allah has made for you spouses of your kind, and given you through your spouses’ children and grandchildren. And He has granted you good, lawful provisions. Are they then faithful to falsehood and ungrateful for Allah’s favors?” [Surah al-Nahl, 72[
The Arabic word hafadha refers to the joy one obtains from his offspring. In the above verse, Allah calls such killing as being ungrateful for His favor.- Do not go close to fahisha (indecency), secretly or openly – In our times, this applies to online entertainment, affairs, and all acts of indecency that people indulge in to pass the time, even during the month of Ramadan. Indecent video clips may pop up on your social media accounts to tempt you when you are in a taqwa mode during fasting. Allah has prohibited it in a very cautionary way. He did not say, “Do not commit adultery or fahisha,” but, He said, “Do not come even close to it.” Fahisha begins with a look at the non-Mahram, which leads to a smile, which leads to an introduction, which leads to a date, and which ends up with physical intimacy.
- Do not kill any innocent person – Life is a trust from Allah, and only He has a right to take it. The Prophet said,
“The first of matters to be judged between people will be cases of murder.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
In another narration, the Prophet has the addition,“Shedding sacred blood without just cause.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Murder comes about due to impatience or aggressiveness instigated by Satan.- And do not come near the wealth of the orphan – Unless intending to enhance it, until they attain maturity. The Prophet said,
“People who consume the wealth of orphans are eating fire and they will come before Allah on the Day of Judgment with fire coming out of their mouth,” and he recited, “Surely, those who eat up the property of the orphans unjustly, they only eat fire into their bellies, and soon they shall enter a blazing Hell.” [Surah al-Nisa, 10]
- Give full measure and weigh with justice – Allah says that He never requires any soul more than what it can bear. The people of Prophet Shuaib suffered three divine punishments that led to their complete annihilation, their sins being that they were dishonest in their business transactions and robbed people on the highway.
“Earthquake seized them.” [Surah Al Araf, 91]
“A loud shriek seized them.” [Surah Al Hud, 94]
“A terrible punishment on the day of a black cloud seized them.” [Surah Shu’ara, 189]
Most business frauds are done out of greed to earn more and make quick money. However, the Messenger of Allah assured that,“If both the business parties are clear and truthful, Allah will bless the transaction; but if they concealed a desire for forgery, then the blessing will be blotted out.” (Muslim)
- Whenever you speak, maintain justice – Even when regarding a close relative. Speaking in favor of the truth may be disliked by our own family or elders, but it has to be done as a witness for Allah. “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allâh is a Better Protector to both (than you).” [Surah al-Nisa, 135]
- And fulfill your covenant with Allah – What promises are made to Allah must be fulfilled, and the biggest promise is to be loyal in worshiping Him alone.
“And when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their backs, their descendants, and made them bear witness against their souls, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes! We bear witness.’ Lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Surely we were heedless of this.’” [Surah Al Araf, 172]
- Indeed, that is My Path—perfectly straight. So follow it – Do not follow other ways, for they will lead you away from His Way – Siratul Mustaqeem (the straight path) means to save one’s self from deviation, and that one has to remain straight on obeying Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).
Ibn Masud said, “The above commandments are known as the ‘Testament and the Will of the Messanger of Allah (ﷺ). (Tafseer Ibn Kathir, Surah Al Anam: 151)
Therefore perhaps this could be our last Ramadhan of life and it is a must that we get the best out of every fast of every Ramadhan and obeying Allah and His messenger (ﷺ) is the most protective way of observing taqwa which is a condition of fast to be accepted by Allah.Frequently Asked Question
Answering the most relevant questions to help you better understand the article.
The Ten Commandments guide believers to avoid prohibited acts, uphold moral conduct, and follow Allah’s straight path, helping them develop taqwa and protect themselves from deviation and disobedience.
Shirk is described as the greatest sin because Allah clearly states He may forgive other sins but does not forgive associating partners with Him, making it the most severe violation.
Honoring parents is commanded alongside Tawheed, showing its importance in Islam, and fulfilling this duty strengthens righteousness, obedience, and moral responsibility, which are essential qualities of a person with taqwa.
Believers are forbidden from killing their children out of fear of poverty, as Allah alone provides sustenance for both parents and children, emphasizing trust in His provision and mercy.
Believers are commanded to stay away from all forms of indecency, whether public or hidden, highlighting that both visible and concealed sins are equally harmful to faith and taqwa.
Taking a human life is strictly prohibited except with legal justification, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the importance of justice in preserving human dignity and societal balance.
Believers are instructed not to approach orphan wealth except to improve it until they reach maturity, ensuring protection of their rights and preventing exploitation or misuse of their property.
Giving full measure and weight with justice reflects honesty in dealings, ensuring fairness in transactions, and preventing cheating, which is essential for maintaining integrity and righteousness in society.
Believers must speak with justice, even against close relatives, emphasizing truthfulness and fairness in all statements, ensuring that personal relationships do not influence honesty or moral responsibility.
Following Allah’s straight path ensures unity upon truth and prevents deviation, as other paths lead away from guidance, making adherence essential for attaining taqwa and remaining steadfast in faith.
