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Surah 108. Al-Kauthar
Qur'an
Translation
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE:1
- Mohammad Asad
According to most of the authorities, this invocation (which occurs at the beginning of every surah with the exception of surah 9) constitutes an integral part of "The Opening" and is, therefore, numbered as verse 1. In all other instances, the invocation "in the name of God" precedes the surah as such, and is not counted among its verses. - Both the divine epithets rahman and rahim are derived from the noun rahmah, which signifies "mercy", "compassion", "loving tenderness" and, more comprehensively, "grace". From the very earliest times, Islamic scholars have endeavoured to define the exact shades of meaning which differentiate the two terms. The best and simplest of these explanations is undoubtedly the one advanced by Ibn al-Qayyim (as quoted in Manar I,48): the term rahman circumscribes the quality of abounding grace inherent in, and inseparable from, the concept of God's Being, whereas rahim expresses the manifestation of that grace in, and its effect upon, His creation - in other words, an aspect of His activity.
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
- Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
In the Name of Allah- the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
- Mustafa Khattab
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
- Marmaduke Pickthall
In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful. 19
- Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The Arabic words "Rahman" and "Rahim" translated "Most Gracious" and "Most Merciful" are both intensive forms referring to different aspects of God's attribute of Mercy. The Arabic intensive is more suited to express God's attributes than the superlative degree in English. The latter implies a comparison with other beings, or with other times or places, while there is no being like unto God, and He is independent of Time and Place. Mercy may imply pity, long-suffering, patience, and forgiveness, all of which the sinner needs and God Most Merciful bestows in abundant measure. But there is a Mercy that goes before even the need arises, the Grace which is ever watchful, and flows from God Most Gracious to all His creatures, protecting the, preserving them, guiding them, and leading them to clearer light and higher life. For this reason the attribute Rahman (Most Gracious) is not applied to any but God, but the attribute Rahim (Merciful), is a general term, and may also be applied to Men. To make us contemplate these boundless gifts of God, the formula: "In the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful": is placed before every Sura of the Qur-an (except the ninth), and repeated at the beginning of every act by the Muslim who dedicates his life to God, and whose hope is in His Mercy.
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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).
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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 thy 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).
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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.
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