Surah Kawthar

Ayah 1 conti...

Ayah 1 continued:

إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
Inna A'ttayna kal kawthar

A’tta/i’tta/yu’ttee – (explained after the below definitions).

There are other words which could be used, i.e;

Aataa – eetaa - to give, but not absolute. I.e. You are giving something which you can take back.

تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَنزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاءُ

(tu'teel mulku...)

..You give [tu'tee] the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will..[aal Imran 3:26]

Eetaa/aataa implies: something can be given – with a condition of responsibility, or it can be taken back. I.e. Allah gives kingdom to people with a duty of responsibility of ruling in fairness and justice.

وَآتَيْنَاهُمَا الْكِتَابَ

- aatayna hum ul kitab (We gave them the book) – Allah gave the Book with responsibility, and if people don’t fulfill that responsibility – He can take the guidance away from them.

wahaba (i.e. Hablana) – hiba – to give a huge gift.

This is why the du’a in surah Furqan is for Allah to give us happiness and tranquility with our spouses (husband/wife), and our children. It is difficult since most people are not happy, so for Allah to make families happy is a big gift indeed.

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَاوَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

And who say, “Our Lord, bestow upon us from our spouses and offsprings comfort of the eyes, (Literally: the coolness (when)the eyes settle down) and make us an Éîmam (Leader) of the pious.” [Furqan 25:74]

A’tta/i’tta/yu’ttee [used in this ayah 1 of surah kawthar] -

In classical Arabic, words have 3 root letters. These 3 letters have a relation in meaning, so if you were to mix the 3 root letters around – they are most likely associated with a similar meaning.

i.e. SHiRK and SHuKR – both have similar yet opposite connotations.

Husn and Nahs – different in meaning but contrast each other

I’ttaa (ayn, ttaa, and waw)
Taa'a’ (ttaa, waw, and ayn) – when you; obey, follow and listen carefully.

Taa’a = obedience.

When someone is obedient to you, you are happy with them so you give alot to them (i’ttaa).

So innaa a’ttayna kal kawthar would imply;

Allah is so pleased with the obedience of His Messenger, that He will give him al Kawthar.

This is not a giving that was expected.