إِنَّآ
أَعۡطَيۡنَٰكَ
ٱلۡكَوۡثَرَ
١
We have truly given abundance to you [Prophet]––
M.A.S. Abdel Haleem
About Surah Al-Kawthar
Revealed as the fifteenth chapter, likely in Makkah, this is the shortest text in the Quran by both word and letter count. It arrived to console the Prophet (ﷺ) in the wake of personal tragedy. After his sons passed away, antagonists like Al-ʿĀṣ ibn Wā’il mocked him as abtar—a man whose lineage is severed. In response, these three verses deliver a resounding declaration of divine grace and triumph.
The text opens with an immediate, sweeping promise: the granting of al-Kawthar, an immense abundance encompassing both this world and a river in Paradise. From this glad tiding, the verses turn to a direct command, instructing the Prophet (ﷺ) to anchor his gratitude by dedicating his prayer and sacrifice—giving the chapter its alternate name, Sūrat al-Naḥr—entirely to Allah.
The conclusion sharply reverses the initial mockery. Sealing a definitive divine defense, the final ayah assures the Prophet (ﷺ) that his detractor is the one whose efforts will bear no fruit, leaving the reviler entirely and permanently cut off.
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بِسۡمِ
ٱللَّهِ
ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ
ٱلرَّحِيمِ
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Surah 108 of 114Makkan
Al-Kawthar
الكوثر The Abundance
- 3
- Makkan
- 30
- 602
Themes and purpose:
This surah is a declaration of divine grace and triumph for the Prophet (ﷺ). Its purpose is to announce the immense gift of Abundance, or a River in Paradise, commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) to dedicate all prayer and sacrifice to Allah alone. It serves to console the Prophet (ﷺ) by assuring him that his enemies, who mocked his lack of sons, are the ones who will be truly “cut off”.
Context of Revelation:
Era: Makkan according to the majority, though some evidence supports the view that it was revealed in Madinah.
Context: The surah was revealed to console the Prophet (ﷺ) after his sons passed away, which led a polytheist like Al-ʿĀṣ ibn Wā’il to mock him by calling him abtar (one whose progeny is cut off).
Chronology: According to the view that it is Makkan, it is counted as the 15th surah, revealed after Sūrat al-ʿĀdiyāt and before al-Takāthur.
Name and Ayah Count:
Name: The surah is known as "Sūrat al-Kawthar" (The Abundance) or "Sūrat Innā aʿṭaynāka al-kawthar" with the opening ayah, and also as "Sūrat al-Naḥr" (The Sacrifice).
Classification: It is the shortest surah in the Quran in terms of words and letters.
Verse Count: 3 ayahs by unanimous agreement.
Surah Overview:
- The Promise: Giving the Prophet (ﷺ) the glad tidings of al-Kawthar (Abundance) in this world and the Hereafter. [1]
- The Command: Ordering the Prophet (ﷺ) to show gratitude for this gift by dedicating all prayer and sacrifice solely to Allah. [2]
- Divine Defense: Assuring the Prophet (ﷺ) that his worst enemy, who reviled him, is the one who will be utterly cut off and whose efforts will be without fruit. [3]
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
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