The Golden Rule actually goes back to Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, who discussed The Ideal and the Universal; timeless truths. Socrates was the teacher of Plato who continued to expound on Socratic concepts and who wrote down and preserved the teachings of Socrates for posterity. Much of Christian ethical and religious teaching is found in Socratic and Platonic concepts. It is an accepted assumption among theologians and religious historians that Jesus Christ was influenced by Socrates and Plato. He was obviously familiar with both of these philosophers as were all of the learned thinkers of his day.

anon19279 - Judaism also applies different rules to Jews and non-Jews. Having different ethical standards, or different religious laws, for different groups doesn't necessarily go against the concept of the Golden Rule. In the strictest sense, perhaps. But in the looser sense of being good to your neighbor, as I argue the Golden Rule at its core is meant to do, having different ethical codes does not necessarily mean one cannot also promote the concept of the Golden Rule. I also don't think this is a debate solely left to religion. Isn't it part of human nature to protect one's own? Whether you define one's own in terms of religion, race, nationality, gender? I think it's part of our animal instinct.

Nowhere in the Koran is there an expression of the Golden Rule, therefore, it is of no importance in Islam and Muslims have no reason to observe it. Since Islam's most important message to humanity (the Noble Koran) does not contain the Golden Rule, it is logical that it was unimportant to Allah. This explains why he entirely omitted it from the Koran. The Golden Rule is held to be central by all religions except Islam. Muslims are surprised to learn their faith does not teach it.

There is however, a very restricted version of the principle of reciprocity found in the Hadiths. The Hadiths are a non-binding collection of sayings and acts of Mohammed and his companions. They have much less authority than the Koran, but contain a version of the Golden Rule which applies only among "brother" Muslims. This Islamic "brotherhood rule" is not universal and does not apply to non-Muslims.

Islamic reciprocity is restricted to interactions between Muslim "brothers". (An non-Muslim is not to be addressed as "brother" by a Muslim.)

The Hadith quotes Mohammed as saying: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." (Number 13 of Imam al-Nawawi's "Forty Hadiths.)

Other Hadiths clarify the limitation of reciprocity to relations between Muslim brothers:

Bukhari 9,85,83 Mohammed said: "A Muslim is a brother to other Muslims. He should never oppress them nor should he facilitate their oppression."

Bukhari 8,73,70 Mohammed said: "Harming a Muslim is an evil act; killing a Muslim means rejecting Allah."

Finally, the Koran itself makes it clear that brotherhood applies only towards other Muslims: (Koran 48:29) : "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are harsh against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other."

Islam divides the entire world into Islam and the Kafirs (unbelievers) and has two separate sets of ethics for each sphere.

The basis of the Golden Rule is the universal equality of all humankind, regardless of their religion, race or origin. It does not say: Do unto some persons, as you would have them do unto you, but do unto all persons as you would have them do unto you.

Islam denies the universality of the Golden Rule because Islam starts with the division of all humanity, into two different groups: Islamic and non-Islamic. Every aspect of Islamic ethics is based upon this separation, thus Islam has two different ethical codes.

This is perhaps the strongest argument against Islam: The Golden Rule is missing from the Koran.

Hi Laurie,

I wrote this article so let me take your question. I gave the quote, but I don't think that the Islamic interpretation of the Golden rule would be considered any more self serving than any other version. Truly do unto others as you'd have them do unto you seems very similar to me as Hurt no one so no one hurts you. Yes, there may be a slight emphasis on self, but there are plenty of places in Islamic teachings and text that stress a peaceful and cooperative existence with one's neighbors. That is not to say that either version can't be interpreted in a self-serving way, or that anyone from any religious background may interpret certain religious texts in a way that most others in a religion would condemn.

I would not characterize my POV on this article as agreeing with an interpretation that preferences the Islamic or Christian version as superior or somehow more self-involved. If you're interested in Islam, wiseGEEK has a number of articles on the site. What is Islam?, and What are the Five Pillars of Islam? are great places to start.

i am trying to draw a clear comparison with the Golden Rule in Christianity and your reference in Islam. It would seem the Islamic interpretation is self-serving as opposed to all other religions - so you see it that way?