In this chapter...

In this chapter, similar to what is seen in Suratul Ḍuha and Suratul Inshirah, the Noble Prophet is the focal point of the address, and one of the prime objectives in all three of these chapters is to grant consolation to the Prophet in relation to the continuous painful incidents and numerous taunts of his enemies and their harsh language (towards him).

His companions asked him what it was that Allah had given him and he answered: “It is a stream in paradise, whiter than milk, more clear than a goblet (made of crystal), and on either side are domes decorated with pearls and rubies.”[^4] In a tradition from Imam Jafar as-Sadiq he says: “Al-Kawthar is a stream in paradise which Allah has granted to His Prophet in exchange for his infant son (ʿAbdullah) who passed away during the life of the Prophet.” Some scholars have stated that “al-Kawthar” is a ‘Pool of Abundance’ which belongs to the Prophet from where the believers will quench their thirst when they arrive in paradise.

^5 Other opinions of ‘al-Kawthar’ include the following: Some have commented on it as being ‘prophecy’; Others mention that it is the Qur’an; Another opinion is that it refers to an abundance of companions and followers of the Prophet ; Yet another interpretation is that it refers to the abundance of descendants all of who will come from his daughter, Fatima Zahra’, and will increase to such an extent that it will be impossible to count them.

They do not only exist today, but in fact will continue to remain until the hereafter as reminders of the Noble Prophet ; Some have also commented on this term referring to ‘intercession’ and have narrated a tradition from Imam Jafar as-Sadiq in this regards.