"One day when he-the Prophet (ﷺ)- was still among us, he took a nap, then he raised his head, smiling. We said to him: 'Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'Just now this Surah was revealed to me: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Verily, We have granted you (O Muahmmad) Al-Kawthar. Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). For he who hates you, he will be cut off.' 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 has promised me in Paradise. Its vessels are more than the number of the stars. My Ummah will come to me, then a man among them will be pulled away and I will say: "O Lord, he is one of my Ummah" and He will say to me: 'You do not know what he did after you were gone."
The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 904
Revelation of Surah Al-Kawthar
This narration describes the miraculous revelation of Surah Al-Kawthar to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during a brief nap. The Companions witnessed his joyful countenance upon awakening, indicating the special nature of this revelation that occurred while fully conscious among his community.
Exegesis of Al-Kawthar
Al-Kawthar, meaning "abundance" or "the river of abundance," represents one of the greatest honors bestowed upon the Prophet (ﷺ). Classical scholars interpret this as a divine response to those who mocked the Prophet for having no male heirs, demonstrating that Allah granted him everlasting spiritual progeny and honor that far surpasses worldly lineage.
Theological Implications
The command "therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice" establishes the exclusive devotion owed to Allah alone. Scholars emphasize this as a fundamental principle of tawhid - that all acts of worship, including prayer and sacrifice, must be directed solely to Allah, distinguishing Islamic monotheism from pagan practices.
Eschatological Dimensions
The Prophet's vision of his ummah at the River Kawthar contains profound eschatological wisdom. The removal of certain individuals despite their apparent affiliation with the Muslim community serves as a grave warning about post-prophetic innovations and deviations. Classical commentators stress this demonstrates that outward membership in the ummah does not guarantee salvation if accompanied by heretical beliefs or practices unknown to the Prophet.
Spiritual Lessons
This hadith teaches the continuity of divine revelation, the Prophet's concern for his ummah, and the ultimate accountability before Allah. The scholars highlight that while the Prophet intercedes for his followers, divine justice prevails based on one's actual deeds and beliefs after the Prophet's era.