FOURTEEN PRECEPTS OF WISDOM (COMMANDMENTS)
FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN
There are numerous precepts of wisdom and commandments in the Holy Qur'an. Here, an example is presented where fourteen of them appear together in Chapter 17, entitled "Al-Israa" (revealed on the ocassion of the "Night Journey and Ascension"). For another sample, visit the links at the end of this article.
Qur'an 17:23-39, Surah Al-Israa
Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him
And that ye be kind to parents.
Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honor.
And out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility
and say: "My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood."
Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: if ye do deeds of righteousness
verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).
And render to the kindred their due rights as (also) to those in want and to the wayfarer:
but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones;
and the Evil One is to his Lord ungrateful.
And even if thou hast to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which thou dost expect yet speak to them a word of easy kindness.
Make not thy hand tied to thy neck nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach so that thou become blameworthy and destitute.
Verily thy Lord doth provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleaseth
and He provideth in a just measure:
for He doth know and regard all His servants.
Kill not your children for fear of want:
We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you:
verily the killing of them is a great sin.
Nor come near unto adultery:
for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil opening the road (to other evils).
Nor take life which Allah has made sacred except for just cause.
And if anyone is slain wrongfully We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive):
but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life: for he is helped (by the Law).
Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it until he attains the age of full strength;
and fulfil (every) engagement for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
Give full measure when ye measure and weigh with a balance that is straight: that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination.
And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge;
for every act of hearing or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).
Nor walk on the earth with insolence:
for thou canst not rend the earth asunder nor reach the mountains in height.
Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of thy Lord.
These are among the (precepts of) wisdom which thy Lord Has revealed to thee.
Take not with Allah another object of worship lest thou shouldst be thrown into Hell blameworthy and rejected.
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Food for Thought: Ayat (Verses) from Holy Qur'an http://cyberistan.org/islamic/qurans17.html