Tafseer Surah Kawthar

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By Shaykh Hussayn bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez aal ash-Shaykh [May Allaah Preserve him]
Imaam and Khateeb of Masjid an-Nabawee and a Senior Judge in the High Court in Madeenah

إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ {1}

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ {2}

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ {3}

1. Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad) Al-Kauthar (a river in Paradise);

2. Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).

3. For he who makes you angry (O Muhammad), - he will be cut off (from every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter).

[Surah Kawthar 108: 1-3]

This Surah is about a river in Paradise in which there are many Ahadeeth which are Mutawaatir which have been narrated.

This Surah was revealed at night in which the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] came out of his house smiling.

The scholars have differed on whether all of the time of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was revelation. Some said his sleep was not part of revelation. However, this Surah was revealed at night and he came out smiling and recited the Surah which brings good news to the people.

Al-Kawthar: Al-Kawthar is a river in Jannah. The linguistic meaning of the word Kawthat is to have something increased, from the word Katheer. It can be an increase in the status of something, so that the physical thing doesn’t increase but its value does. It can refer to an increase in number or measure.

Some said Kawthar here means the blessings or Barakah that was given to the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], however this is correct in a linguistic sense however the Ahadeeth that talk about the river clearly show that this Surah is talking about the physical river in Jannah.

The river has been described as a river which is surrounded by pearls, it’s mud is musk, its whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. It is surronded by many cups for the belivers to drink from.

This river is physical and something we should believe in and not use it as a methapor. Therefore, believing in a river becomes part of our ‘Aqeedah and that the believers will drink from it and that it coms before the Siraat on the Day of Judgement.

‘We have given you’: this refers to those who are benefitted from the river and those who benefit from the river.

This Ayaah also refutes the view of those who say that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] has control in the Lordship of Allaah [Ruboobiyyah] and that he has knowledge of the unseen.

‘So turn to your Lord in prayer’: Therefore we need to thank Allaah, the Most High, by increasing in doing good deeds and having Tawheed with Allaah.

‘Prayer’: meaning Salaah, others said it refers to the sacrifice we make as part of our Hajj. It is correct to say both are for the sake of Allaah, the Most High, alone. Others also said that this refers to the ‘Eid Salaah.

‘Sacrifice’: meaning our sacrifice if for Allaah, the Most High, alone. Others said it also refers to us putting our hands on or near the chest during Salaah, some also said it refers to us looking at the ground during Salaah.

‘Those who disgrace you are neglected’: those who have hatred towards the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] will be disgraced and neglected.

In reality, they have nothing to hate in the the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] or anything he brought, and whoever does this has nullified his Islaam.

However, if you dislike what he came with or an aspect of his Sunnah yet you believe, then you are still considered as a Muslim but this person has weakness of faith.

Those who apostacise and hate him or everything he came with then these people have left Islaam.

Added to this, if one changes the rulings of Islaam or denies what is Haraam and Halaal, then this also acts as a nullifer of Islaam.

‘Abtar’ means barren. Thus meaning those who hate you or hate what you brought then they are neglected and left abandoned.

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