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Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar, Asbab Al-Nuzul, Maksud, Lessons, & Benefits

Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar, Asbab Al-Nuzul, Maksud, Lessons, & Benefits

In this Comprehensive article, we will discuss Surah Al-Kawthar. We will start with a brief introduction, whether it is Makki or Madani, and the meaning of Al-Kawthar. Then we will move on to Surah Al-Kausar Benefits & Lessons Asbab al-Nuzul, Maksud, Translation, Transliteration, and Surah Al-Kawthar Tafseer. Finally, we will discuss Surah Al-Kawthar benefits and Lessons from the Qur’an: Surah Al-Kauthar.

Introduction to Surah Al-Kawthar

Surah Al-Kawthar is one of the greatest and shortest Surahs of The Quran. 

It was debated whether it was Makki or Madani. Muslim scholars who debated it is a Makki Surah suggested it was revealed in response to one of the polytheists of Makkah. However, those who debated it is a Madani Surah suggested it was in response to one of Madinah’s Jews, as we will discuss later in Surah Al-Kawthar Asbab al-Nuzul. Obviously, it is a Makki Surah.

‘Al-Kawthar’ literally means increased welfare. It is also a name of a river in Paradise Allah (SWT) has given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Surah Al-Kawthar is also named Surah’ Al-Nahr’, which means the slaughter of an animal for the sake of Allah.

Why Was Surah Al-Kawthar Revealed (Asbab al-Nuzul)?

Surah Al-Kawthar was revealed in response to polytheists or Jews. ‘Al Abtar’ linguistically means cut-off and contextually means disunited or childless (without offspring), as we will further discuss in Surah Al-Kawthar Tafseer.

It was narrated that one of the Meccan polytheists (Abu-Jahl, Abu-Lahab, or Al-Aas Ibn-Wael) called The Prophet (PBUH) by ‘al-abtar’, meaning he is childless. It was when the son of The Prophet (PBUH) died.

In another narration, Kaab Ibn-Al-Ashraf, one of the Jews’ leaders, once came to Makkah. The polytheists of Makkah told him that The Prophet is ‘abtar’, meaning he is disunited from his people by calling to another religion. He responded: ‘You are (polytheists) better than him (Prophet Muhammad)’.

Allah (SWT) responded in Surah Al-Kawthar by saying that the prophet’s enemies are the ones who are abtar (cut-off).

What is The Maksud of Surah Al-Kawthar?

The Maksud of Surah Al-Kawthar is honouring The Prophet (PBUH) in front of those who insulted him by calling him al-abtar. It is also great tidings for The Prophet (PBUH) that he will be granted the river of Kawthar in Paradise.

Surah Al-Kawthar is an invitation to Muslims to do righteous deeds by praying and slaughtering animals to feed people for the sake of Allah.  

You can also find the tafseer of the following surahs helpful:

Surah Al-Kawthar Translation and Transliteration in English (Verse by Verse)

Surah Al-Kawthar is the shortest Surah in the Quran. It is only three verses like Surah Al-Nasr. However, it is much shorter as it is only ten words.

Surah Al-Kawthar in Arabic

That is why Surah Al-Kausar Benefits & Lessons is so simple and easy to understand and memorize.

إِنَّآ أَعْطَيْنَـٰكَ ٱلْكَوْثَرَ
Innaaa a’tainaa kal kauthar
Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar.

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنْحَرْ
Fasalli li rabbika wanhar
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ ٱلْأَبْتَرُ
Inna shaani’aka huwal abtar
Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.

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Tafseer of Surah Al-Kawthar Meaning in English (Verse by Verse)

Surah Al-Kawthar Tafseer is very simple. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss it in some detail.

A. Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar Verse #1

‘Innaaa a’tainaa kal kauthar’ means: we have granted you, O Muhammad, the welfare in the worldly life and the hereafter. Also, Al-Kawthar is a name of a river in Paradise.

One day, the Prophet (PBUH) took a nap, and then he raised his head, smiling. The companions told him: ‘Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘Just now, this Surah (Surah Al-Kawthar) was revealed to me. Then he said: ‘Do you know what Al-Kawthar is? It is a river that my Lord has promised me in Paradise. Its vessels are more than the number of the stars.’ (Sunan an-Nasa’i 904)

B. Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar Verse #2

‘Fasalli li rabbika’ means: so, pray only to your Rabb (Lord). ‘Wanhar’ means sacrifice (slaughter) animals for the sake of Allah. These two deeds are among the righteous deeds in Islam. Prayer is a connection to Allah, and Slaughtering animals to feed the poor is a connection with people.

This verse is a completion of the previous verse. Allah says to the Prophet (PBUH) that He had given him Al-Kawthar, so the Prophet (PBUH) should praise Allah by doing righteous deeds.

C. Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar Verse #3

‘Inna’ shaani’aka’ means the one who hates you (O Prophet Muhammad). ‘Huwal abtar’ means: The one who hates you is himself the cut-off, not you.

This verse honours The Prophet (PBUH) by denying he (PBUH) is Al-Abtar and at the same time attaching the name ‘Al-Abtar’ to his haters. His haters are cut off all good, mercy, and welfare from Allah (SWT).

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Lessons of Surah Kawthar and Life Applications

Interpretation of Soorah Al-Kawthar is full of beneficial and life-changing lessons. We will discuss some of them in the following paragraphs.

1. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Was Honoured By Allah (SWT)

Allah has honoured The Prophet (PBUH) in the Quran and raised his position in worldly life and the hereafter. People should realize his high position, love him, and honour him as Allah (SWT) taught us. 

Allah said in the Quran concerning Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

“And you are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character.” (Quran 68:4)

“There certainly has come to you a messenger from among yourselves. He is concerned by your suffering, anxious for your well-being, and gracious and merciful to the believers” (Quran 9:128)

2. Muslims Who Follow The Prophet’s Path Will Drink from Al-Kawthar

Muslims who follow the footsteps of The Prophet (PBUH) would drink from Al-Kawthar River. It was narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would know them by light marks due to wudu’ (ablution). However, those who did not follow his guidance and changed what he had said would be turned away from his water and remain thirsty on the day of judgment. (Sunan an-Nasa’i 904)

3. People Who Disobey the Prophet (PBUH) And Show Hate Are Al-Abtar

Those who disobey The Prophet (PBUH) and show hate are -for sure- by the Quranic definition Abtar. They are cut off from any goodness, welfare, or reward in worldly life and the hereafter. They follow the footsteps of the polytheists of Makkah and the Jews of Madinah. Likewise, whoever follows the footsteps of anyone, would be with him in the hereafter. 

4. Muslims Should Praise Allah by Doing Righteous Deeds

Praising Allah should be by both tongue and good deeds. In Tafseer of Surah Al-Nasr, we learned Allah had taught The Prophet (PBUH) how to praise Him for Nasr by glorifying Allah and asking His forgiveness. In Surah Al-Kawthar, Allah taught His Prophet (PBUH) to praise him by performing salat (prayer) and sacrifice (slaughter) for the sake of Allah. A Muslim should perform both forms of praising Allah (SWT).

Allah said in the Interpretation of Soorah Al-Kawthar that performing good deeds and worship is a means of praise:

Work gratefully, O family of David!” ˹Only˺ a few of My servants are ˹truly˺ grateful.”

(Quran 34:13)

5. Prayer and Sacrifice Should Be Only For The Sake of Allah (SWT)

Allah (SWT) taught Muslims in Surah Al-Kawthar that prayer and sacrifice should not by any means be directed to other than Allah. If anyone performed prayer or sacrificed an animal for other than Allah, he performed great shirk (associating other partners with Allah). Allah (SWT) may forgive any sins except for shirk on the day of judgement. Shirk is the greatest sin ever!

Allah says in the Lessons from the Qur’an: Surah Al-Kauthar: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him ˹in worship˺, but forgives anything else of whomever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin” (Quran 4:48)

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Benefits of Surah Al-Kawthar

The benefit of Surah Al-Kawthar is that it grants a great reward upon recitation. It also teaches some of the most important lessons upon proper pondering. There is no known authentic hadith for a specific benefit or virtue of Surah Al-Kawthar. A non-authentic Hadith says that the one who recites Surah Al-Kawthar will drink from Al-Kawthar River. However, no doubt, the one who recites Surah Al-Kawthar, learns its meanings, understands it, applies its lessons, and follows The Prophet (PBUH) will indeed drink from Al-Kawthar.

You can also find the tafseer of the following surahs helpful:

Conclusion – What is the general meaning of Surah Al-Kawthar?

Surah Al-Kawthar is the shortest Surah in the Quran. It was debated among Muslim scholars whether it was Makki or Madani. However, it appears to be a Makki Surah.

Surah Al-Kawthar is an honour to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) against the insult of polytheists and Jews. Allah defended The Prophet (PBUH) by saying the one who hates him (PBUH) is himself Al-Abtar. Allah also granted The Prophet (PBUH) and those who follow his path Al-Kawthar, which is a river in Paradise. 

Surah Al-Kawthar includes many lessons and life application that is worth proper understanding and pondering.

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