Al-Kawthar is the 108th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran. It is the shortest chapter, consisting of three ayat or verses: There are several different opinions as the timing and contextual background of its supposed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl). According to Ibn Ishaq, it is an earlier Meccan surah, which is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, sometime before the Isra and Mi'raj. The word Kawthar is derived from the triliteral root ك - ث - ر (k - th - r), which has meanings of "to increase in number, to outnumber, to happen frequently; to show pride in wealth and/or children; to be rich, plentiful, abundance." The form Kawthar itself is an intensive deverbal noun, meaning "abundance, multitude". It appears in the Qur'an solely in this sūrah.

Text and meaning

Text and transliteration

Bismi l-lāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm(i) ¹ ’in-nā ’a‘ṭaynāka l-kawthar(a) ² Faṣal-li lirab-bika wanḥar ³ ’in-na shāni’aka huwa l-’abtar(u) Bismi l-lāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm(i) ¹ ’in-nā ’a‘ṭaynāka l-kawthar(a) ² Faṣal-li lirab-bika wanḥar(i) ³ ’in-na shāni’aka huwa labtar(u)

Meanings

Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad) Al-Kauthar (A River in Jannah and a lot of goodness]); Therefore, turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). For he who makes you angry (O Muhammad), - he will be cut off (from every good thing in this world and in the Hereafter). Translation: Noble Quran, 1999 Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. Translation: Saheeh International, 1997 To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance). Therefore, to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope). Translation: Yusuf Ali, 1934 Lo! We have given thee Abundance; So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice. Lo! it is thy insulter (and not thou) who is without posterity. Translation: Pickthall, 1930

Hadith