Do the primary Islamic sources mention the Seven Laws of Noah?
The primary Islamic sources do not explicitly mention a codified list referred to as the "Seven Laws of Noah." However, there are references to the teachings and principles associated with Noah (Nuh in Arabic) that align with the concepts found in the Seven Laws, which are traditionally understood as the basic moral laws for all humanity.
From the Qur'an, we see that Noah is depicted as a messenger who called his people to worship Allah alone and to abandon idolatry. In Surah Al-A'raaf, it states: We sent Noah (of old) unto his people, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an Awful Day.
7:59. Similarly, in Surah Al-Muminoon, it reiterates Noah's call: And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
23:23. These verses highlight the core tenets of monotheism, which is a significant aspect of Noah's message.
In Shia sources, Al-Kafi mentions that the law of Noah was to worship Allah in monotheism and sincerity, which aligns with the broader understanding of the laws attributed to him: The law of Noah (peace be upon him) was to worship Allah in monotheism and sincerity and to tear away idols, which is the innate nature upon which people were created.
Al-Kafi 1:425. This reflects the principles of morality and ethics expected of humanity, which are central to the Seven Laws of Noah.
While there is no direct mention of the Seven Laws of Noah as a defined set within Islamic texts, the essential teachings attributed to Noah resonate with the principles of moral conduct and the oneness of God that these laws encompass.
Sources
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7:59 · Al-A'raaf
7:59 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ
We sent Noah (of old) unto his people, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an Awful Day.
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23:23 · Al-Muminoon
23:23 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
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Al-Kafi 1:425
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 425
God Almighty revealed to David (peace be upon him), 'O David, just as the humblest among people are nearest to God, so are the proudest among people furthest from God.' — OR — The law of Noah (peace be upon him) was to worship Allah in monotheism and sincerity and to tear away idols, which is the innate nature upon which people were created. Allah took His covenant from Noah and the Prophets (peace be upon them) to worship Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, and not to associate anything with Him, and commanded prayer, enjoining good and forbidding evil, halal and haram. He did not impose penalties nor inheritance laws. This is his law. Noah stayed among his people a thousand years minus fifty, calling them secretly and openly. When they refused and rebelled, he prayed, 'My Lord, I am overpowered; help me.' Allah revealed to him that none of his people would believe except those who had believed. So do not grieve over what they used to do. Therefore, Noah said, 'And they shall give birth only to wicked disbelievers.' Then Allah the Almighty revealed to him to build the ark.
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