This surah was revealed as a consolation to the Prophet ﷺ informing him of the glad tidings which have been prepared for him.
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ – 108:1
[108:1] (O Prophet,) surely We have given to you Al-Kauthar. We have given you, O Muhammad an abundance of everlasting goodness, in both this world and the hereafter. We have given you prophethood, and the Quran. We have given you wisdom and knowledge. We have given you al-shafa’ah, the intercession, as well as the praised station. We have given you an abundance of followers and victory over your enemies. We have given you many unexpected victories as well as many other favours[1].
From this abundance of goodness, we have also given you the river al-Kauthar. It is a river in Jannah. It’s banks are made of gold, and it’s bed is made of pearls and rubies. It’s dirt is purer than musk, and its water is sweeter than honey and whiter than milk[2]. Whomsoever drinks a sip from it, will never be thirsty ever again. It is a river which we have promised you, and there is an abundance of good in it. It is a fountain and your ummah would come to it on the Day of Resurrection, and its tumblers would be equal to the number of stars.[3]
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ – 108:2
[108:2] So, offer Salah (prayer) to your Lord, and sacrifice. So offer salah to your Lord, He who has given you an abundance of goodness. He who has gathered all of this goodness for you specifically. And sacrifice the camel, that which is the pride of Arab’s, and the best of their wealth. Sacrifice the camel as thanks to your Lord for that which he has preferred for you from goodness and honour.
Pray to your lord alone, and be not like the idolaters whose prayer is nothing more than whistling and clapping[4]. And sacrifice for your Lord alone and not for other than him. And be not like the idolaters who sacrifice for their idols. So therefore offer prayer to your Lord, alone, and sacrifice for your Lord, alone, with sincerity.
إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ – 108:3
[108:3] Surely it is your enemy whose traces are cut off. Surely it is those whom have angered you, O Muhammad, whose traces are cut off from every good.
When Qasim, the son of the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Aas b. Waa’il said to leave the Prophet ﷺ as he is abthar (cut off), as he does not leave behind any sons to carry his name and message. Therefore when the Prophet ﷺ will pass away he will be forgotten. Thereafter this surah was revealed, showing that indeed it is Aas b. Waa’il who is abthar (cut off). As even though he may have many sons, he is cut off from the mercy of Allah. This can be seen nowadays as his name is not mentioned except that one curses it. This is in stark contrast to the Prophet ﷺ, whose remembrance will remain until the end of time. His blessed name is mentioned daily on the tongues of Muslims. It is mentioned in the call to the five daily prayers, in prayers as well as on pulpits all around the globe. Indeed he has many believers which follow and love him and they will continue to do so until the Day of Judgement. Even though the Prophet ﷺ did not leave behind any sons, these believers are like sons to the Prophet ﷺ, and they are the true carriers of his name and teachings.
[1]al-Bahr Volume 8, Page 519
[2] Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book 47, Hadith 3686
[3]Sahih Muslim 400 a
[4]Quran 8:35
