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.

opening verse

All praise is for Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light. . Then those who disbelieved in their Lord equate others with Him. [6:1]

Allah (swt)

• He is the One Who created you from clay, then appointed a term and another known only to Him—yet you continue to doubt! [6:2]
• He is the Only True God in the heavens and the earth. He knows whatever you conceal and whatever you reveal, and knows whatever you do. [6:3]
• If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him. And if He touches you with a blessing, He is Most Capable of everything. [6:17]
• He reigns supreme over His creation. And He is the All-Wise, All-Aware. [6:18]
• He is the One Who calls back your souls by night and knows what you do by day, then revives you daily to complete your appointed term. To Him is your return, then He will inform you of what you used to do. [6:60]
• He reigns supreme over all of His creation, and sends recording-angels, watching over you. When death comes to any of you, Our angels take their soul, never neglecting this duty. [6:61]
• Then they are returned to Allah—their True Master. Judgment is His. And He is the Swiftest Reckoner. [6:62]
• He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth in truth. On the Day He will say, ‘Be!’ And there will be! His command is truth. All authority is His on the Day the Trumpet will be blown. He is the Knower of all—seen or unseen. And He is the All-Wise, All-Aware.” [6:73]
• Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah! How can you then be deluded? [6:95]
• He causes the dawn to break, and has made the night for rest and the sun and the moon with precision. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing. [6:96]
• And He is the One Who has made the stars as your guide through the darkness of land and sea. We have already made the signs clear for people who know. [6:97]
• And He is the One Who originated you all from a single soul, then assigned you a place to live and another to rest. We have already made the signs clear for people who comprehend. [6:98]
• And He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky—causing all kinds of plants to grow—producing green stalks from which We bring forth clustered grain. And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach. Also gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates, similar but dissimilar. Look at their fruit as it yields and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for people who believe. [6:99]
• The Originator of the heavens and earth. How could He have children when He has no mate? He created all things and has knowledge of everything. [6:101]
• That is Allah—your Lord! There is no god except Him. The Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is the Maintainer of everything. [6:102]
• No vision can encompass Him, but He encompasses all vision. For He is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.  [6:103]
• Indeed, there have come to you insights from your Lord. So whoever chooses to see, it is for their own good. But whoever chooses to be blind, it is to their own loss. And I am not a keeper over you. [6:104]
• The Word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearing, All- Knowing. [6:115]
• Indeed, your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is guided [6:117]
• Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve. [6:125]
• That is your Lord’s Path—perfectly straight. We have already made the signs clear to those who are mindful. [6:126]
• He is the One Who produces gardens—both cultivated and wild—and palm trees, crops of different flavours, olives, and pomegranates—similar, but dissimilar. Eat of the fruit they bear and pay the dues at harvest, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful. [6:141]
• With Him are the keys of the unseen—no one knows them except Him. And He knows what is in the land and sea. Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth or anything—green or dry—but is in a perfect Record. [6:59]

Disbelievers/wrongdoers

• They have indeed rejected the truth when it came to them, so they will soon face the consequences of their ridicule. [6:5]
• Have they not seen how many peoples We destroyed before them? We had made them more established in the land than you. We sent down abundant rain for them and made rivers flow at their feet. Then We destroyed them for their sins and replaced them with other peoples.[6:6]
• Had We sent down to you a revelation in writing and they were to touch it with their own hands, the disbelievers would still have said, “This is nothing but pure magic!” [6:7]
• They say, “Why has no angel come with him?” Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have certainly been settled and they would have never been given more time. [6:8]
• And if We had sent an angel, We would have certainly made it a man—leaving them more confused than they already are.[6:9]
• Say, “Travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers.” [6:11]
• Who does more wrong than those who fabricate lies against Allah or deny His signs? Indeed, the wrongdoers will never succeed. [6:21]
• There are some of them who listen to your recitation, but We have cast veils over their hearts—leaving them unable to comprehend it—and deafness in their ears. Even if they were to see every sign, they still would not believe in them. The disbelievers would come to argue with you, saying, “This is nothing but ancient fables!” [6:25]
• We certainly know that what they say grieves you. It is not your honesty they question—it is Allah’s signs that the wrongdoers deny. [6:33]
• Those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb—lost in darkness. Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray and guides whoever He wills to the Straight Way. [6:39]
• Why did they not humble themselves when We made them suffer? Instead, their hearts were hardened, and Satan made their misdeeds appealing to them. [6:43]
• When they became oblivious to warnings, We showered them with everything they desired. But just as they became prideful of what they were given, We seized them by surprise, then they instantly fell into despair! [6:44]
• In this way We have tested some by means of others, so those may say, “Has Allah favoured these out of all of us?” Does Allah not best recognize the grateful? [6:53]
• This is how We make Our signs clear, so the way of the wicked may become distinct. [6:55]
• Who does more wrong than the one who fabricates lies against Allah or claims, “I have received revelations!”—although nothing was revealed to them—or the one who says, “I can reveal the like of Allah’s revelations!”? If you could only see the wrongdoers in the throes of death while the angels are stretching out their hands, “Give up your souls! Today you will be rewarded with the torment of disgrace for telling lies about Allah and for being arrogant towards His revelations!” [6:93]
• We turn their hearts and eyes away as they refused to believe at first, leaving them to wander blindly in their defiance. [6:110]
• Even if We had sent them the angels, made the dead speak to them, and assembled before their own eyes every sign, they still would not have believed—unless Allah so willed. But most of them are ignorant. [6:111]
• And so We have placed in every society the most wicked to conspire in it. Yet they plot only against themselves, but they fail to perceive it. [6:123]
• Nor can you say, “If only the Scriptures had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they.” Now there has come to you from your Lord a clear proof—a guide and mercy. Who then does more wrong than those who deny Allah’s revelations and turn away from them? We will reward those who turn away from Our revelations with a dreadful punishment for turning away. [6:157]

The pagans

• The pagans set aside for Allah a share of the crops and cattle He created, saying, “This is for Allah,” so they claim, “and this ˹one˺ for our associate-gods.” Yet the portion of their associate-gods is not shared with Allah while Allah’s portion is shared with their associate-gods. What unfair judgment! [6:136]
• Likewise, the pagans’ evil associates have made it appealing to them to kill their own children—only leading to their destruction as well as confusion in their faith. Had it been Allah’s Will, they would not have done such a thing. So leave them and their falsehood. [6:137]
• Lost indeed are those who have murdered their own children foolishly out of ignorance and have forbidden what Allah has provided for them—falsely attributing lies to Allah. They have certainly strayed and are not ˹rightly˺ guided. [6:140]

Day of Judgement

• Consider the Day We will gather them all together then ask those who associated others, “Where are those gods you used to claim?” [6:22]
• See how they will lie about themselves and how those they fabricated will fail them! [6:24]
• If only you could see when they will be detained before the Fire! They will cry, “Oh! If only we could be sent back, we would never deny the signs of our Lord and we would be of the believers.” [6:27]
• But no! because the truth they used to hide will become all too clear to them. Even if they were to be sent back, they would certainly revert to what they were forbidden. Indeed they are liars! [6:28]
• They insisted, “There is nothing beyond this worldly life and we will never be resurrected.” [6:29]
• But if only you could see when they will be detained before their Lord! He will ask, “Is this  not the truth?” They will cry, “Absolutely, by our Lord!” He will say, “Then taste the punishment for your disbelief.” [6:30]
• Losers indeed are those who deny the meeting with Allah until the Hour takes them by surprise, then they will cry, “Woe to us for having ignored this!” They will bear their sins on their backs. Evil indeed is their burden! [6:31]
• You have come back to Us all alone as We created you the first time—leaving behind everything We have provided you with. We do not see your intercessors with you—those you claimed were Allah’s partners. All your ties have been broken and all your claims have let you down. [6:94]
• The Day He will gather them together and say, “O assembly of jinn! You misled humans in great numbers.” And their human associates will say, “Our Lord! We benefited from each other’s company, but now we have reached the term which You appointed for us.” He will say, “The Fire is your home, yours to stay in forever, except whoever Allah wills to spare.” Surely your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. [6:128]
• This is how We make the wrongdoers allies of one another because of their misdeeds. [6:129]
•  “O assembly of jinn and humans! Did messengers not come from among you, proclaiming My revelations and warning you of the coming of this Day of yours?” They will say, “We confess against ourselves!” For they have been deluded by worldly life. And they will testify against themselves that they were disbelievers. [6:130]
• Are they awaiting the coming of the angels, or your Lord, or some of your Lord’s signs? On the Day your Lord’s signs arrive, belief will not benefit those who did not believe earlier or those who did no good through their faith. Say, “Keep waiting! We too are waiting.” [6:158]

This worldly life

• This worldly life is no more than play and amusement, but far better is the Home of the Hereafter for those mindful. Will you not then understand? [6:32]
• All living beings roaming the earth and winged birds soaring in the sky are communities like yourselves.¹ We have left nothing out of the Record. Then to their Lord they will be gathered all together. [6:38]

Warnings

• But those who deny Our signs will be afflicted with punishment for their rebelliousness. [6:49]

Conversations with Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)]

• Say “To whom belongs what is in the heavens and the earth?” Say, “To Allah!” He has decreed upon Himself to be Merciful. Surely He will assemble you on the Day of Resurrection—about which there is no doubt. Those who have lost themselves then they do not believe. [6:12]
• Say, “Indeed I fear the punishment of a mighty Day if I disobeyed my Lord.” [6:15]
• Whoever is spared the torment of that Day will have certainly been shown Allah’s mercy. And that is the clear success.[6:16]
• Only the attentive will respond ˹to your call˺. As for the dead, Allah will raise them up, then to Him they will ˹all˺ be returned. [6:36]
• Say, “have you seen if there came to you the punishment of Allah or the Hour — would you call upon any other than Allah if you are truthful? [6:40]
• No! He is the only One you would call. And if He willed, He could remove the affliction that made you invoke Him. Only then will you forget whatever you associate with Him.” [6:41]
• Say “have you seen if Allah were to take away your hearing and your sight, and sealed your hearts—who else other than Allah could restore it?” See how explain the Signs, yet they turn away. [6:46]
• Say, “I do not say to you that I possess Allah’s treasuries or know the unseen, nor do I claim to be an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me.” Say, “Can the blind and the seeing one be equal? Will you not then reflect?” [6:50]
• And warn with it those who fear that they will be gathered to their Lord—when they will have no protector or intercessor besides Him—so that they may become righteous. [6:51]
• When the believers in Our revelations come to you, say, “Peace be upon you! Your Lord has taken upon Himself to be Merciful. Whoever among you commits evil ignorantly ˹or recklessly˺ then repents afterwards and mends their ways, then Allah is truly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [6:54]
• Say, “Who saves you from the darkest of the land and the sea, you call Him humbly and secretly – if He saves us from this, surely we will be from the grateful ones.” [6:63]
• Say, “Allah saves you from it and every distress, yet you associate partners with Him” [6:64]
• Say, “He is All-capable send upon you punishment from above or from beneath your feet or confuse you into sects and make you taste the violence of one another.” See how We explain the Signs so that they may understand. [6:65]
• But your people denied it while it is the truth. Say, “I am not a manager over you.” [6:66]
• Say, “Shall we call upon other than Allah, those which cannot benefit or harm us, and turn back on our heels after Allah has guided us? Like the one who has been enticed by Sheiateen (the devils) in the earth – he has confused companions who call him towards guidance, ‘Come to us!’ Say, “Allah is the Guidance and we have been commanded that we submit to the Lord of all worlds, [6:71]
• Say, “O my people! Work on your position. Indeed, I am a worker. And soon you will know who will have a good home for himself in the end. Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.” [6:135]
• Say, “Come! I will recite to you what your Lord has prohibited to you: do not associate anything with Him. Be good with the parents and do kill your children out of poverty. We provide for you and for them. And do not go near apparent or concealed immoralities. And do not kill the soul of what has been forbidden by Allah except by legal right. This is what He has enjoined onto you so that you may use reason. [6:151]
• And do not come near the wealth of the orphan—unless intending to enhance it—until they attain maturity. Give full measure and weigh with justice. We do not burden any soul except to its capacity. And when you speak, then be just even if he is a near relative. And fulfil your covenant with Allah – that which He has instructed on you so that you may remember. [6:152]
• Indeed, you are not with them – those who divide their religion and become sects.  Their affair is oly with Allah then He will inform them of what they used to do. [6:159]
• Say, “Indeed my Lord has guided me to the Straight Path, a right religion, a religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) – a true monotheist. And he was not one of the polytheists.” [6:161]

Advice

• And when you come across those who ridicule Our revelations, do not sit with them unless they engage in a different topic. Should Satan make you forget, then once you remember, do not sit with the wrongdoing people. [6:68]
• And leave those who take this faith as mere play and amusement and are deluded by  worldly life. Yet remind them by this, so no one should be ruined for their misdeeds. They will have no protector or intercessor other than Allah. Even if they were to offer every ransom, none will be accepted from them. Those are the ones who will be ruined for their misdeeds. They will have a boiling drink and painful punishment for their disbelief. [6:70]
• Establish prayer, and be mindful of Him. To Him you will all be gathered together. [6:72]
• So eat only of what is slaughtered in Allah’s Name if you truly believe in His revelations. [6:118]
• Shun all sin—open and secret. Indeed, those who commit sin will be punished for what they earn. [6:120]
• Do not eat of what is not slaughtered in Allah’s Name. For that would certainly be disobedience. Surely the devils whisper to their associates to argue with you. If you were to obey them, then you would be polytheists. [6:121]

The guided

• It is those who are faithful and do not tarnish their faith with falsehood who are guaranteed security and are guided. [6:82]

Addressing the believers

• Do not insult what they invoke besides Allah or they will insult Allah spitefully out of ignorance. This is how We have made each people’s deeds appealing to them. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do. [6:108]

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (as)

• And when Abrahim said to his father, Ȃzar, “Do you take idols as gods? It is clear to me that you and your people are entirely misguided.” [6:74]
• We also showed Abraham the wonders of the heavens and the earth, so he would be sure in faith. [6:75]
• When the night grew dark upon him, he saw a star and said, “This is my Lord!” But when it set, he said, “I do not love things that set.” [6:76]
• Then when he saw the moon rising, he said, “This one is my Lord!” But when it disappeared, he said, “If my Lord does not guide me, I will certainly be one of the misguided people.” [6:77]
• Then when he saw the sun shining, he said, “This must be my Lord—it is the greatest!” But again when it set, he declared, “O my people! I totally reject whatever you associate. [6:78]
• I have turned my face towards the One Who has originated the heavens and the earth—being upright—and I am not one of the polytheists.” [6:79]

Mention of Messengers/Prophets

• Those to whom We gave the Scripture recognize him as they recognize their own children. Those who have ruined themselves will never believe. [6:20]
• Indeed, messengers before you were rejected but patiently endured rejection and persecution until Our help came to them. And Allah’s promise is never broken. And you have already received some of the narratives of these messengers. [6:34]
•  We have sent messengers only as deliverers of good news and as warners. Whoever believes and does good, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve. [6:48]
• And We blessed him with Isaac and Jacob. We guided them all as We previously guided Noah and those among his descendants: David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. This is how We reward the good-doers. [6:84]
• Likewise, Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elias, who were all of the righteous. [6:85]
• Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot, favouring each over other people. [6:86]
• These were guided by Allah, so follow their guidance. Say, “I ask no reward of you for this —it is a reminder to the whole world.” [6:90]
• And so We have made for every prophet enemies—devilish humans and jinn—whispering to one another with elegant words of deception. Had it been your Lord’s Will, they would not have done such a thing. So leave them and their deceit, [6:112]
• This is because your Lord would never destroy a society for their wrongdoing while its people are unaware of the truth. [6:131]

Cattle

• Some cattle are fit for labour, others are too small. Eat of what Allah has provided for you and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Certainly, he is your sworn enemy. [6:142]
• Four pairs: a pair of sheep and a pair of goats—ask them, “Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or what is in the wombs of the two females? Tell me with knowledge, if what you say is true.”— [6:143]
• and a pair of camels and a pair of oxen. Ask, “Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or what is in the wombs of the two females? Or were you present when Allah gave you this commandment?” Who does more wrong than those who fabricate lies against Allah to mislead others without knowledge? Surely Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. [6:144]
• Say, “I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to eat except carrion, running blood, swine—which is impure—or a sinful offering in the name of any other than Allah. But if someone is compelled by necessity—neither driven by desire nor exceeding immediate need—then surely your Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [6:145]
• For those who are Jewish, We forbade every animal with undivided hoofs and the fat of oxen and sheep except what is joined to their backs or intestines or mixed with bone. In this way We rewarded them for their violations. And We are certainly truthful. [6:146]
• Say, “Bring your witnesses who can testify that Allah has forbidden this.” If they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our proofs, disbelieve in the Hereafter, and set up equals with their Lord. [6:150]

Deeds

• Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold. But whoever comes with a bad deed will be punished for only one. None will be wronged. [6:160]

News

• For every news there is a fixed time and soon you will know. [6:67]

The Quran

• And so We vary our signs to the extent that they will say, “You have studied,” and We make this clear for people who know. [6:105]

Closing verse

He is the One Who has placed you as successors on earth and elevated some of you in rank over others, so He may test you with what He has given you. Surely your Lord is swift in punishment, but He is certainly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [6:165]