Journal of Religion and the Contemporary World

Journal of Religion and the Contemporary World

A Civilizational Reading of the Ten Commandments (Wasaya al-'Ashr) in Confronting the Collapse of Moral Institutions in Modern Societies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Reza Mollazadeh 1
Meisam Shoaib 2
1 Postdoctoral researcher in Quran and Hadith sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2 PhD in Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Islamic Law, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22096/rc.2025.2057340.1250
Abstract
The contemporary world, despite technological advancements, faces deep moral crises and social justice dilemmas.This research, using a descriptive-analytical method and presenting a "civilizational reading," demonstrates that the Ten Commandments (Wasaya al-'Ashr, An'am: 151-153) are not a collection of individual ethical precepts, but a coherent, civilization-building charter with specific pillars for confronting these crises.The findings present this charter as a monotheism-centered (Tawhid-centric) system that establishes the key pillars of a healthy society by: reconstructing the family institution against individualism (by emphasizing kindness to parents and the sanctity of children's lives); establishing economic and judicial justice in response to corruption (centered on protecting the orphan's property, ensuring fair weights and measures, and upholding justice in speech); and consolidating moral and physical security in opposition to relativism (through the avoidance of indecencies and the prohibition of unlawful killing).This system also strengthens the social contract by emphasizing 'fulfilling the covenant of God' (Wafa' bi 'Ahdillah) and offers a solution for unity against ideological divisions by presenting the principle of the 'straight path' (Sirat al-Mustaqim).Finally, the study defines the "civilizational reading" as a method for transitioning from m. ere exegesis to a purposive, application-oriented approach (Maqasid-based pragmatics), and emphasizes the capacity of these foundational commandments to provide a universal and effective socio-ethical model for the modern era.
Keywords
Holy Quran
Surah Al-An'
am
Ten Commandments (Wasaya al-'
Ashr)
Islamic Ethics
Social Justice

Subjects

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Journal of Religion and the Contemporary World
Volume 11, no. 2 - Serial Number 21
Fall 2024 & Winter 2025, Issue 21
January 2025
Pages 235-260