Surah Al-Kawthar (الْكَوْثَر) is the 108th surah of the Quran. The name of the Surah is taken from the last word of its first verse. Al-Kawthar means “Abundance of good”. The phrase Al-Kauthar refers to a river in Paradise. It also refers to the Great Blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ upon the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, which is main subject of this Surah. Surah Al-Kawthar is the shortest surah of the Quran, having only three short verses. That’s why this surah is sometimes referred to as the Surah of Abundance and Consolation.
١٠٨ - ٱلْكَوْثَر
108 - Al-Kawthar
English
Ahmed Ali
2
Surah Al-Kawthar was revealed under very special circumstances, during the early phase of the Prophet Muhammad's صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ prophethood. It was the time when the Prophet and his followers were facing extreme oppression and tyranny at the hands of disbelievers of Mecca, especially the chiefs of Quraysh. Amidst this phase of tyranny, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ suffered personal loss in the shape of the death of his sons, Qasim and Abdullah, one after the other. The disbelievers started mocking the Prophet.
At that time, Arabs believed that an individual's family lineage depended on his male children. Since the Prophet had lost his sons, they started calling him “Abtar”, an Arabic expression that points to a person who has no male heirs and whose family lineage will terminate after his death. The word Abtar also means “cut off.” In both meanings, the target was the Prophet, who had lost sons. They thought and promoted the idea that after the Prophet's death, no one would be there to carry on his legacy.
Under these circumstances, Surah Al-Kawthar was revealed, which categorically mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ legacy will not end; instead, the disbelievers will be cut off and forgotten. The Prophet was also assured of good news of granting him Al-Kawthar, which means Abundant Good, and also a river in Paradise. That's why this Surah is also known as the Surah of Abundance and Consolation. So, the purpose of the revelation of Surah Al-Kawthar can be summarized as:
The majority consensus is that Surah Al-Kawthar was revealed during the Prophet’s stay in Mecca. The subject and theme of the Surah also suggest that it was revealed at the time when the disbelievers used to mock the Prophet by calling him “Abtar", when he had lost his sons. However, according to some other traditions, it is suggested that this was revealed in Medina, while a few also claim that it was revealed twice, once in Mecca and then again in Medina. However, the majority of scholars and commentators hold the firm view that it is a Makki Surah.
It is the 108th Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (para) 30. It can be found before Surah Al-Kafirun and after Surah Al-Ma’un. Per the order of revelation, it is the 15th Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it also falls at number 108. Within the Juzz 30, it comes at number 31.
Surah Al-Kawthar was sent down by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ as a direct response to the disbelievers, who mocked the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ by calling him “Abtar". The Surah consoles the Prophet on his loss in the shape of the death of his sons, while affirming his honor. It also gives good news of granting the Prophet "Al-Kawthar”, the Abundant Good. The concept of Al-Kawthar is described in two ways by the scholars.
It is a river in Paradise, which is granted to the Prophet. Another explanation of this concept is that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ assured him of a huge following, as a Divine Reward. It is further affirmed that the true legacy does not come from the family lineage; rather, it comes your way through righteousness and Divine favor.
Hence, the significance of Surah Al-Kawthar can be summarized as under:
The main theme of Surah Al-Kawthar is to console the Prophet against the mockery by his opponents. The disbelievers, especially the chiefs of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca, started calling the Prophet “Abtar” on the death of his sons. Abtar is an Arabic expression used to describe someone who is cut off and has no male heirs. It was believed among the Arabs of those days that a person's family lineage ends if they do not have a male child.
The Surah comprises only three short verses, bearing an explicit message. The first verse gives good news of grant of Al-Kawthar to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Al-Kawthar is believed to be a river in Paradise. Another explanation of the word Al-Kawthar is that it refers to the vast following of the Prophet. In both contexts, it is a clear Divine consolation for the Prophet in response to the mockery of his opponents.
In the second verse, the Prophet is advised to pray and sacrifice in the way of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, as a gesture of thankfulness for His favors and blessings bestowed on him. The third verse comprehensively concludes the entire matter by saying, “not you but those who mock and hate you will be cut off from any goodness”.
The subject covered comprehensively in this Surah includes:
Although Surah Al-Kawthar is a short surah comprising just three short verses, it holds huge benefits and virtues due to a very sensitive and important matter discussed in it. Recitation of this surah reminds us of the Great Honor given by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ to His Messenger and Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It also reminds us of the great news of Al-Kawthar being granted to the Prophet. By remembering this, our faith is strengthened.
Other benefits of recitation of this Surah include:
Reading the Quran correctly is extremely important. Even a slight deviation from the actual pronunciation of a word will entirely change its meaning. While reciting the Quran, it becomes crucial to read it precisely as it was revealed, for these are the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Any wrong pronunciation may lead to an entirely different meaning, which would not be a correct practice.
It becomes even more difficult for non-Arabic speakers to correctly pronounce the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is essential. Listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari might help us read it correctly, with Tajweed. On the other hand, sometimes one may prefer to listen to the Quran rather than read it.
At MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by various renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Kawthar.
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Al-Kawthar translates to “Abundance of Good.” It refers to a river in paradise. It also refers to the huge followership of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
Surah Al-Kawthar has 3 verses.
It strengthens our faith on the promises of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It protects us from distress and humiliation. It is a powerful source of strengthening one's faith.
It can be recited at any time during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation. Some scholars recommend reciting it after Fajr and before sleeping for protection.
Yes, there are numerous hadith references to this Surah, such as Hadith 4434 of Sunan Ibn Majah, which describes the status of the River of Kawthar.