SURAH AL-KAUSAR

Surah al-Kausar is the shortest Surah consisting of three Ayahs. It was revealed in Makkah.

Innah A’taina Kal Kausar; Fasalle Lerabbeka Wanhar; Inna Shaaneaka Huwal Abtar.

(Muhammad), We have granted you abundant virtue (a fountain in paradise). So worship your Lord and make sacrificial offerings. Whoever has hatred toward you will himself remain childless.

The reason and occasion of its revelation is connected with the identification and interpretation of the word “Kausar”.

Aas ibne Wail, one of the polytheists’ leaders, was talking to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.).

When he returned to his colleagues, they inquired with whom he was talking. He replied: “I was talking with that “Abtar”. Abtar means “tail-less” whose progeny is cut-off. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.)’s son, Abdullah, had died and the Arabs would call such persons who have no son as “Abtar”. In Arab culture, sons were given too much importance and it was presumed that only sons can continue their father’s programs. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was disturbed by such remarks. Hence this Surah was revealed to console the Messenger and also gave a heavy blow to his enemies.

There are many interpretations of the word “Kausar” enumerated below:

 * Kausar means Abundance of Barakah.

* It also refers to abundance of descendants. The descendants of Bibi Fatima and Imam   Ali are known as syeds and at this point in time there are millions of syed all over the world.

* It is reported that when this Surah was reveled, the Messenger spoke from the pulpit and said: “Kausar is stream in the Paradise, which is whiter than milk”

* Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “There is a stream in Paradise which was given to the   Messenger in exchange of his son Abdullah (who died in his life time)”

* It also refers to virtues and gifts in abundance. It may also refer to his victories on the battle fields, scholars of very high caliber who have been serving Islam for centuries and coming periods till Day of Resurrection.

For this great gift and abundant virtues, it is required to be thankful, although the thanks of the created-ones cannot wholly compensate the gifts of the Creator. Allah asks to offer prayers and sacrifice. Sacrifice is also a type of prayer.

 Nahr is used for the sacrifice of camel. Nahr is the process of slaughtering camels by first throwing a spear to its neck, when it is fallen on the ground then it is slaughtered like a goat. There have been two more interpretations of the word “Nahr”. First, the Arabs started using this word for any thing opposite to each other. Second, it means to bring your hands near your face. It is reported that when this Surah was revealed, the Messenger inquired from the arch-angel Jibreel who explained that Allah wants the Muslims that while praying salaat and reciting “Takbeer”, before bending for Ruko’o, and after Ruko’o, and before and after performing Sajda, they should raise their hands near the ears showing the palms toward Qibla. He further confirmed that it was the way the angels pray in skies.

If we consider the interpretation of Kausar as the stream in Paradise and once again read the Surah which looks like this: “(Muhammad), We have granted you a stream in Paradise. So worship your Lord and make sacrificial offerings. Whoever has hatred towards you will himself remain childless.” What is the link between the stream and the enemy being childless! The Holy Qur’an is the most eloquent and sublime book that one word has numerous meanings. Hence in the light of the polytheist’s remarks about the discontinuation of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)’s progeny (Abdullah) and the fact that he was disturbed by those remarks, and Allah was consoling him with the good news that he has been bestowed with infinite bounties that his Holy Progeny will expand from his most beloved, exalted and infallible daughter, the Lady of Paradise, Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) while his enemies would perish despite their living sons.

Miracle of Surah al-Kausar:

There are three forecasts mentioned in this Surah.

1. It refers to all the victories he achieved either on the battle fields or off the battle fields i.e. Peace Treaty at Hudaibiyyah and the victory of Makkah.
2. He will not be childless (sons) but his progeny will be in millions all over the globe.
3. His enemies were completely destroyed and there is no trace of his enemies like Bani Umaiyya and Banu Abbas who confronted him and Ahlul Bayt.

Agha Mirza Mehdi Pooya (r.a.) said: “In gratitude of the grant of “abundance” the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.) demonstrated the highest standard of devotion in prayers and in giving every thing they possessed for the cause of Allah (s.w.t.). The sacrifice of Imam Husayn (a.s.) has been described as “Zebhe Azeem” in Ayah 107 of Surah al-Saffat. In some degree, according to the grade of their submission, all the believing men and women receive some portion from the “abundance” given to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.), therefore, they are commanded to pray Salaat and sacrifice what ever they have in the cause of Allah (s.w.t.), when ever necessary.”