Sūrat al-Kawthar

Meccan. It consists of three verses. It was revealed after [Sūrat] al-ʿĀdiyāt.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar.

2. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.

3. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.

1. Linguistic Analysis In the recitation of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), it is read: "Inna an-dhayna-ka" (with a nun). In his (ﷺ) hadith, it is said: "Fold the thabaja (the middle part of the garment)."

Al-Kawthar is a noun on the pattern of faw'al derived from al-kathra (abundance), meaning that which is excessively abundant. A Bedouin woman was asked upon her son’s return from a journey, "With what did your son return?" She replied, "He returned with kawthar (a great abundance)." A poet said:

"You are abundant, O son of Marwan, and good; And your father, son of the 'aqathil (the wealthy), was a kawthar."

2. The River in Paradise It is said that Al-Kawthar is a river in Paradise. The Prophet (ﷺ) said when it was revealed: "Do you know what Al-Kawthar is? It is a river in Paradise that my Lord has promised me, in which there is much good."

Its description is narrated as: Sweeter than honey, whiter than milk, colder than snow, and softer than butter. Its banks are of chrysolite, and its vessels are of silver, numbering the stars of the sky. It is also narrated: "Whoever drinks from it will never thirst again." The first to arrive at it will be the poor among the Emigrants (Muhajirun): those with worn-out clothes and disheveled hair, who do not marry women of luxury, and for whom the doors of the powerful are not opened. If one of them dies, his need remains suppressed in his chest; yet if he were to swear by Allah, He would surely fulfill it for him.

3. Interpretations of "Al-Kawthar" and "An-Nahr" Ibn Abbas interpreted Al-Kawthar as "the abundant good." When Sa'id ibn Jubayr told him that some say it is a river in Paradise, he replied, "It is [part] of that abundant good."

Regarding An-Nahr (the sacrifice):

• 'Atiyyah: It is the Dawn Prayer (Fajr) in Muzdalifah and the sacrifice in Mina.
• Others: It is the Eid prayer and the sacrifice.
• Others: It is the category of prayer in general.
• Others: It is the placing of the right hand over the left during prayer.

4. The Meaning of the Verse The meaning is: You have been granted an abundance of the good of both worlds, the extent of which has no limit, and which no one else has been given. The Giver of all this is I, the Lord of the Worlds. Thus, two sublime blessings have gathered for you: receiving the most noble and abundant gift from the most generous Giver and the greatest Bestower.

Therefore, worship your Lord who honored you with His gift, ennobled you, and protected you from the favors of creation, in defiance of your people who worship other than Allah. Sacrifice for His sake and in His name when you sacrifice, opposing them in their sacrifice to idols.

5. The "Abtar" (The Cut-off) "Indeed, the one who hates you among your people—due to your opposition to them—is the Abtar (the cut-off/childless), not you." This is because every believer born until the Day of Resurrection is your offspring and descendant. Your mention is raised upon the pulpits and minarets, and upon the tongue of every scholar and rememberer until the end of time; they begin with the mention of Allah and follow it with your mention. In the Hereafter, you have what cannot be described.

One like you cannot be called abtar. The abtar is your detractor, who is forgotten in this world and the next; and if he is mentioned, it is only with a curse. They used to say, "Muhammad is sanbur (isolated); when he dies, his mention will die." It is said this was revealed regarding Al-'As ibn Wa'il, who called him abtar. Abtar is one who has no descendants, like a donkey that has no tail.

6. Merit of the Surah From the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kawthar, Allah will give him to drink from every river in Paradise, and there will be written for him ten good deeds for every sacrifice that the servants offered on the Day of Sacrifice, or will offer."