Surah 108. Al-Kauthar

BEHOLD, We have bestowed upon thee good in abundance:¹

  - Mohammad Asad

The term kawthar is an intensive form of the noun kathrah (Zamakhshari), which, in its turn, denotes "copiousness", "multitude" or "abundance"; it also occurs as an adjective with the same connotation (Qamus, Lisan al-'Arab, etc.). In the above context, which is the sole instance of its use in the Qur'an, al-kawthar obviously relates to the abundant bestowal on the Prophet of all that is good in an abstract, spiritual sense, like revelation, knowledge, wisdom, the doing of good works, and dignity in this world and in the hereafter (Razi); with reference to the believers in general, it evidently signifies the ability to acquire knowledge, to do good works, to be kind towards all living beings, and thus to attain to inner peace and dignity.

O Muhammad, surely We have granted you the Kauthar (countless blessings - it is also the name of a special fountain which will be granted to Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Judgement ).

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, We have granted you 'O Prophet' abundant goodness.¹

  - Mustafa Khattab

 This includes a heavenly river as well other favours in both worlds.

Lo! We have given thee Abundance;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

To thee have We granted the Fount (Of Abundance). ⁶²⁸⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Al-Kauthar literally means "good in abundance". It is the abundant bounty which Allah bestowed on Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). This includes a river (or fountain) in heaven of this name which Allah has promised the Prophet (peace be on him).

hence, pray unto thy Sustainer [alone], and sacrifice [unto Him alone].

  - Mohammad Asad

Therefore, offer Salah (prayer) to your Rabb and sacrifice.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

So pray and sacrifice to your Lord 'alone'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

So pray unto they Lord, and sacrifice.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. ⁶²⁸⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

He who grants these blessings is Allah, and to Allah alone must we turn in adoration and thanksgiving, and in sacrifice. Nahr=sacrifice: in a restricted ritual sense, the sacrifice of camels: see n. 2813 to xxii. 36. But the ritual is a mere Symbol. Behind it is a deep spiritual meaning: the meat slaughtered feeds the poor, and the slaughter is a symbol of the self-sacrifice in our hearts. "It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him" (xxii. 37).

Verily, he that hates thee has indeed been cut off [from all that is good]!²

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "it is he that is cut off (abtar)". The addition, between brackets, of the phrase "from all that is good" is based on an explanation forthcoming from the Qamus.

Surely your enemy is the one who will be cut off from the root.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Only the one who hates you is truly cut off 'from any goodness'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! It is thy insulter (and not thou) who is without posterity.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

For he who hateth thee he will be cut off (from Future Hope). ⁶²⁸⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Hatred and spite are not constructive contributions to the work of this world, but its opposites. Abu Jahl and his Pagan confederates vented their personal spite and venom against the holy Prophet by taunting him with the loss of his two infant sons by Khadija, but where were these venomous detractors a few years afterwards, when the divine Light shone more brilliantly than ever? It was these that were cut off from all future hope, in this world and the next.