Surah Al-Kauthar Surah 108

Shortest surah in the Quran 3 ayas long. Surely We have given you al-kauthar Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice For he who hates thee, he will be cut off

This was revealed due to an event The Prophet (pbuh) first son, Qasim, died when he was about 2 years old There was a man from Quraish named Al-Qasr who mocked the Prophet (pbuh) and insulted him for not having any sons to carry his family name, and all his progeny are going to die out He called him (pbuh) Abtar Batarah in Arabic means to cut off entirely (i.e. an animals tail gets cut off). So Abtar means his line was cut off. So Allah revealed this surah.

Ina al taynaka al-kauthar Surely We have given you al-kauthar

Al-Kauthar is a river in Paradise The Prophet, pbuh, said that is water is as white as milk, as weet as honey, its banks are rimmed with gold, and its bottom is pearls. Whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again. He (pbuh) was given

Kathir and kauthar mean abundant good.

Some scholars said that Allah is saying We are giving you many good things, others refer to it as the river in Paradise.

Allah is giving. So when you expect to receive something from a generous person you would expect something great. When high status people give gifts, its big and extravagant. So whatever Allah is giving

Al-taynaka, in Arabic is considered giving something small. Another interpretationwhat has been given to Muhammad (pbuh) is small compared to his great character This is not just for the Prophet (pbuh). Every good tiding given to the Prophet (pbuh), is also addressed to all the believers. So when Allah gives a blessing to the Prophet (pbuh), He is actually giving it to all Muslims.

So the first thing the Prophet (pbuh) is told to be grateful

Fa Sali li-rabika wan nahar Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice So pray to your Lord. Rab=sustainer, the one who helps you through everything, who gives you food and water and keeps you alive Notice the change in pronoun; He now says be thankful to your Lord Allah talks about Himself in the third person. Its drawing attention to an attribute of Him. Prayer is the pillar of the deen Thats when youre totally focused on God. (See previous notes on Prayer) Na har is a specific sacrifice in Arabic. Specifically, slaughter a camel When Arabs really wanted to show gratitude, they would slaughter a camel. Camels are vey expensive, very useful Two important things: Spiritual devotion

Willingness to sacrifice things that are valuable

Inna shaniaka huwal abtar For he who hates thee, he will be cut off Shaniaka is the person who hates you In this case, its Al-Qasr and those who follow his way The person who hates you is the one who will be cut off As if the person is not even worth talking about The only reason people know Al-Qasrs name is because he insulted the Prophet (pbuh) So this is the reality of anyone who takes Muslims as enemies. Allah is saying to all Muslims, dont feel down, dont be depressed, because weve given you a lot and we will give you a lot more, and dont worry about those who are against you because they will be forgotten.