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al-isl§m and al-Êm§n 37From Moses onwards they matured further and accumulated morecommandments, until they were finally perfected in MuÈammad’s(ß) message. They are what we call ‘particular ethics’ (al-furq§n al-kh§ßß)and form the ethical foundation of al-Êm§n (and also of al-isl§m sinceal-isl§m is the general type of religion for al-Êm§n).Al-isl§m and Universal EthicsI will now explain both types of ethics. Let us first focus on what wecall the ‘general’ or ‘universal’ ethics of al-isl§m and quote from theBook:Say: “Come, I will rehearse what God has (really) prohibited youfrom”: Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents;kill not your children on a plea of want. We provide sustenance foryou and for them. Come not nigh to shameful deeds, whether open orsecret; take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way ofjustice and law: thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom.And come not nigh to the orphan’s property, except to improve it,until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with(full) justice. No burden do We place on any soul, but that which itcan bear. Whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative isconcerned; and fulfil the covenant of God: thus does He commandyou, that you may remember.Verily, this is My way, leading straight, follow it; follow not (other)paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path; thus does Hecommand you that you may be righteous. ( Al-An#§m 6:151–53)These verses provide us with ten commandments (of which nine aremoral orders and one a religious creed). Although many readers willknow these ten commandments by heart it will be worth listing themone by one in order to emphasise their importance for the religionof al-isl§m (and al-Êm§n because al-Êm§n is the particular religion ofal-isl§m). They can be summarised as follows:‘Join not anything as equal with Him1. ’:This religious creed refers to the witness of Allah’s unity( al-tauÈÊd) expressed in the formula ‘there is no god but God’.This is, as we saw above, the most important pillar of al-isl§m.It is the next step after accepting the existence of God and theHereafter. A person might believe in God and the Hereafterbut still remain in a state where he or she violates God’s unity