Disclaimer: These notes are my personal reflections on the Quran and have been organised in a way that identifies and groups different themes that emerge from each chapter, with the intention to help facilitate a deeper understanding, help pinpoint where key messages are located in the Quran, and foster a closer relationship with Allah. May this effort please Him, ameen. I hope that these notes will assist others in their own study and reflection.  Feel free to leave a comment and spark a discussion. If I have made any errors, I apologise and would appreciate it if you could correct me in the comments. These notes are not intended to be authoritative or definitive – please do refer to the original text and do your own research.

Mention of prophets

• Prophet Isa (as) – and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only made to appear so. Even those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever—only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him. [4:157] Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. [4:158]

advice

• Advice on Wealth > do not entrust the incapable among your dependents with your wealth which Allah has made a means of support for you – but fed and clothe them from it, and speak to them kindly. [4:5] Do not devour one another’s wealth illegally, but rather trade by mutual consent. And do not kill each other of yourselves. Surely Allah is ever Merciful to you. [4:29]
• Worship Allah alone, be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, needy travellers, and those bonds people in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful. [4:37]
• Do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you are aware of what you say nor in a state of ‘full impurity’. If you are impure and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth, wiping your faces and hands. [4:43]
• O Believers: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer to Allah and His Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution. [4:59] And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be in the company of those blessed by Allah; the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous – what an honourable company [4:69] Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate from justice. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then know that Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do [4:135] Do not take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. [4:144]
• Advice on greetings: And when you are greeted, respond with a better greeting or at least similarly. [4:86]
• …when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed (by disbelievers), then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them…[4:140]
• Advice on negatives thoughts – Allah does not like them to be voiced, except by those who have been wronged. [4:148]
• Advice on sins > If you avoid the major sins forbidden to you, We will absolve you of your lesser misdeeds and admit you into a place of honour. [4:31]
• Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks Allah forgiveness will certainly find Allah All-Forgiving Most Merciful [4:110]
• Guidance: And whoever desires the reward of this world, then let them know that with Allah are the rewards of this world and the Hereafter [4:134] They seek to deceive Allah, but He outwits them. When they stand up for prayer, they do it half-heartedly only to be seen by people – hardly remembering Allah at all. [4:142]
• Whatever good befalls you is from Allah and whatever evil befalls you is from yourself. We have sent you o Prophet as a messenger to ‘all’ people. And Allah is sufficient as a Witness. [4:79]
• Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share in the reward, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in the burden. And Allah is Watchful over all things. [4:85]

Warnings

• Those who unjustly consume orphan’s wealth in fact consume nothing but fire into their bellies. And they will be burned in a blazing Hell. [4:10]
• Those who are stingy, promote stingy among people and withhold Allah’s bounties – We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment [4:37] Likewise for those who spend their wealth to show off and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. [4:38]
• Warning on Repentance: However, repentance is not accepted from those who knowingly persist in sin until they start dying, and then cry “Now I repent” nor those who die as disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment. [4:18]
• …But those who are too proud and arrogant, HE will subject them to a painful punishment..[4:173]
• Shirk: Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him in worship, but forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin. [4:48] &  [4:116]
• And whoever commits an evil or sinful deed then blames it on an innocent person, they will definitely bear the guilt of slander and blatant sin. [4:112]
• Killing: whoever kills a believer intentionally, their reward will be Hell – where they will stay indefinitely. Allah will be displeased with them, condemn them, and will prepare for them a tremendous punishment. [4:93]

Message to humanity

• Message to humanity: Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it He created its mate, and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah – in whose Name you appeal to one another – and honour family ties. Surely Allah is every Watchful over you. [4:1]
• O Humanity: The Messenger has certainly come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe for your own good. But if you disbelieve then know that to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise [4:170]

The day of judgment

• Those who denied Allah and disobeyed the Messenger will wish they were reduced to dust [4:42]
• We will certainly gather you all together on the Day of Judgement – about which there is no doubt [4:87]

the Jews

• Some take words out of context and say “ we listen and we disobey” …playing with words and discrediting the faith…Allah has condemned them for their disbelief, so they do not believe except for a few [4:46] …We condemn the defiant as We did to the Sabbath-breakers [4:47] They were condemned for breaking their covenant, rejecting Allah’s signs, killing the prophets unjustly and for saying “Our hearts are unreceptive” – it is Allah Who has sealed their hearts for their  disbelief, so they do not believe except for a few [4:155] and for their denial and outrageous accusations against Mariam [4:156] We forbade the Jews certain foods that had been lawful to them for their wrongdoing, and for hindering many from the way of Allah [4:160], taking interest despite its prohibition, and consuming people’s wealth unjustly. [4:161]

Inheritance

• There are many verses about inheritance and how wealth should be distributed/divided among others/family depending on various circumstances. [4:2], [4:6] [4:7] [4:8] [4:11] [4:33]

men and women

• The roles of men and women – men are the caretakers of women and support them financially. And righteous women are devoutly obedient and, when alone, protective of what Allah has entrusted them with. And if you (man) sense ill conduct from your women, first advise them, if they persist, do not share their beds, but if they still persist, then discipline them gently. But if they (women) change their ways, do not be unjust to them. [4:34]
• Men and women will be rewarded according to their deeds equally. [4:32]
• Point for men to consider: …If you happen to dislike them (women/your wives), you may hate something which Allah turns into a great blessing. [4:19]

Marriage and divorce

• Marriage: men can marry 1,2,3 or four women but if they are afraid of failing to maintain justice then content themselves with one – this way they are less likely to commit injustice [4:3]. Give women their due dowries graciously. [4:4]
• Divorce: if you anticipate a split between them, appoint a mediator from his family an another from hers. If they desire reconciliation, Allah will restore harmony between them. [4:35]
• Infidelity: ruling on what to do in the case of a women committing illegal intercourse, see: [4:15] [4:16]

Repentance

• Allah only accepts the repentance of those who commit evil ignorantly or recklessly the repent soon after – Allah will pardon them. [4:17]

Allah’s favours on us

• It is Allah Will to make things clear to you, guide you to the noble ways of those before you, and turns to you in mercy [4:26] And it is Allah to lighten your burdens, for humankind was created weak [4:28] Allah never wrongs anyone even by an atom’s weight. [4:40]

The Trinity

• O People of the Book: Do not go to extremes regarding your faith, say nothing about Allah except the truth. The Messiah Isa was no more than a messenger of Allah and the fulfilment of His Word through Mariam and a spirit created by a command from Him…and do not say Trinity. STOP – for your own good. Allah is only One God. Glory be to Him. He is far above having a son! [4:171]

Disbelievers

• Surely those who reject Our signs, We will cast them into the Fire. Whenever their skin is burnt completely, We will replace it so they will constantly taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is Almighty All-Wise [4:56] Those who disbelieve and hinder others from the way of Allah have certainly strayed far away [4:167]. Those who disbelieve and wrong themselves – surely Allah will neither forgive them nor guide them to any path. [4:168]

Believers

• As for those who believe and do good, We will admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. There they will have pure spouses, and We will place them under vast shade. [4:57]

• Those believers who stay at home – except those with valid excuses – are not equal to those who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has elevated in rank those who strive with their wealth and their lives above those who stay behind with valid excuses. Allah has promised each a fine reward, but those who strive will receive a far better reward then others. [4:95]

Commandment

• Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners, and when you judge between people, judge with fairness – a noble commandment. [4:58]

Fighting in the cause of Allah

• (sacrificing this life for the hereafter) whether they achieve martyrdom or victory – We will honour them with a great reward [4:74] And what  is it with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed men, women, and children who cry out “Our Lord! Deliver us from this land of oppressors! Appoint for us a saviour; appoint for us a helper – all by Your grace. [4:75]

Believers Vs Disbelievers

• Believers fight for the cause of Allah, whereas disbelievers fight for the cause of the devil. So fight against satan’s evil forces. Indeed satan’s schemes are ever weak. [4:76]

Death

• Wherever you may be, death will overcome you – even if you were in fortified towers…[4:78]
• Those who wronged themselves: When the angels seize the souls of those who have wronged themselves – scolding them “what was wrong with you?” they will reply “We were oppressed in the land” The angels will respond “Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate?” It is they who will have Hell as their home – what an evil destination [4:97] Except helpless men, women, and children who cannot afford a way out. [4:98]

Travel and Emigration

• Emigration: Whoever emigrates in the cause of Allah will find many safe havens and bountiful resources throughout the earth. Those who leave their homes and die while emigrating to Allah and His Messenger – their reward has already been secured with Allah. [4:100]
• When travelling: it is permissible for you to shorten the prayer – especially if you fear an attack by the disbelievers. Indeed the disbelievers are your sworn enemy. [4:101]

satan /The devil (also known as Iblis / Sheitan)

• Cursed by Allah – who said “I will surely take hold of a certain number of Your servants [4:118] I will certainly mislead them and delude them with empty hopes. Also, I will order them and they will slit the ears of cattle and alter Allah’s creation.. [4:119] ..Truly satan promises them nothing but delusion. [4:120]

The Good doers

• But whoever do good – whether male or female – and have faith will enter paradise and will never be wronged even as much as the speck on the date stone. [4:124]

The faithful & Prophet Abraham

• And who is better in faith than those who fully submit themselves to Allah, do good, and follow the way of Abraham (as) the upright? Allah chose Abraham (as), as a close friend. [4:125]

The hypocrites

• Give good news of a painful punishment to the hypocrites [4:138] who choose disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek honour and power through that company? Surely all honour and power belongs to Allah [4:139] They will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and you will never find for them any helper. [4:145]