Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Kawthar. [590] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/5477.
Virtues and characteristics
It contains great glad tidings to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whilst the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was among us one day, he took a nap, then he raised his head and was smiling. We said: What has made you smile, O Messenger of Allah? He said: ?Just now a surah [591] Surah: that is, a sublime surah in which there is great glad tidings. See: Al-Kawkab Al-Wahhaj Sharh Sahih Muslim,7/105. was revealed to me,? and he recited
Indeed, We have granted you, O Muhammad, Al-Kawthar,
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice to Him alone.
Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off
Al-Kawthar 108:3.
Then he said: ?Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?? We said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He said: ?It is a river that my Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, has promised me, and there is much goodness in it. And it is a cistern to which my ummah will come on the Day of Resurrection, its vessels like the number of stars?? [592] Narrated by Muslim, 400.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Kawthar is Madani; it was also said that it is Makki. [593] Those who favoured the view that it is Madani include Ibn Kathir, Ibn Hajar and As-Suyuti. See: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 8/498; Ibn Hajar: Fat-h Al-Bari, 9/41; As-Suyuti: Al-Itqan fi ?Alum Al-Qur?an, 1/55. Ibn Al-Jawzi, Abu Hayyan and Ibn ?Ashur attributed the view that it is Makki to the majority of scholars. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/497; Tafsir Abi Hayyan, 10/555; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/571.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Giving glad tidings to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) of immense blessings from Allah. [594] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/521. See also: Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 3/255.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Kawthar include:
Highlighting the blessing that was bestowed upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), as he was given much goodness.
The command to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to show gratitude to Allah for that by focusing on worship.
Informing the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that the enemy who hated him would be cut off from all goodness.