Title: Does Islam Accept Moral Absolutes? Question: I am doing a study of comparative religions and I would like to know if Islamic doctrine supports the following moral absolutes so that I can compare its teachings with other world religions: We are not to steal We are to be truthful We are to be chaste before marriage and faithful after marriage We are to be content with what we have and not covet other peoples belongings We are not to kill unjustly (murder) We must give proper respect to our parents If Islam supports these moral codes, please email me a "yes" answer. Thank you my brothers. Answer: I had received your question in a more open-ended style some days back. I am extremely sorry for disappointing you and not being able to reply to you in time. Please accept my apologies. Yes, Islam ordains compliance with all these values. I provide below references from the Qur'an for these directives. Prohibition of Stealing : The Qur'an has ordained Muslims to refrain from all unjustified means of taking possession of the wealth of others, which, obviously, includes stealing as well. The Qur'an says: "Do not devour one another's property through unjust means" ( Al-Baqarah 2: 188, Al-Nisaa 4: 29). Besides this verse, the ordainment regarding the punishment of the thief also clearly implies the prohibition of stealing. Truthfulness : The Qur'an has prompted its followers to be truthful in more than one ways. In Al-Maaidah 5: 119, the Qur'an says: "[On the Day of Judgment,] God shall say: 'This is the day when the truthful shall benefit because of their truthfulness.'" In Al-Taubah 9: 119, the Qur'an says: "Be with the truthful". In Aal Imraan 3: 17 and Al-Ahzaab 33: 35, truthfulness is declared as one the basic qualities of those who are true in their belief. Chastity and Faithfulness : The Qur'an has generally prohibited all acts of lewdness in Al-Nahl 16: 90, Al-Muminoon 23: 5, Al-Noor 24: 30 etc. Besides this, the Qur'an has mentioned fornication among those sins that can sentence a person to eternal punishment in hellfire ( Al-Furqaan 25: 68 - 69). Covetousness : The Qur'an, in Al-Nisaa 4: 33, says: "Do not covet the favors by which God has exalted some among you above others". Murder : The Qur'an has prohibited murder in a number of verses. A few of them are: Al-Israa 17: 33, Al-Furqaan 25: 68 etc. Respect to Parents : In the manner that the Qur'an has ordained respecting parents, it can be clearly seen that it implies that the biggest obligation on a person, after belief in one God, is doing good with his/her parents ( Al-Nisaa 4: 36, Al-An`aam 6: 151, Al-Israa 17: 23). I hope this helps. 28 th October 1999