Fatimah (AS): The Kawthar of Prophethood

Fatimah (AS): The Kawthar of Prophethood

Before the advent of Islam’s later revelations, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had a son with Lady Khadījah (AS) named ‘Abd Allāh. However, the child passed away after a short time.

Following this loss, a prominent leader among the Meccan polytheists, ‘Āṣ ibn Wā’il, saw the Prophet (SAW) leaving al-Masjid al-Ḥarām one day and began taunting him. Some Quraysh leaders witnessed the exchange and asked ‘Āṣ: “With whom were you speaking?”
He replied: “With that abtar (one cut off from progeny)!”

According to another narration, those who mocked the Prophet (SAW) over his lack of sons also included ‘Amr ibn al-‘Āṣ and Ḥakam ibn Abī al-‘Āṣ.
(Tafsīr Ahl al-Bayt, vol. 18, p. 420; Bihar al-Anwar, al-Majlisi, vol. 22, p. 166 and vol. 17, p. 209)

In response to these taunts, Almighty Allah revealed Sūrat al-Kawthar to console and affirm His Messenger:

“Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off (abtar).”
(Surah al-Kawthar, 108:1–3)

Qur’anic exegetes interpret “al-Kawthar” as an abundance of divine blessings and goodness, explaining:
“It refers to the Prophet’s (SAW) multiplied progeny, which continues through Lady Fāṭimah al-Zahrā (AS) and her descendants.”
(Tafsīr al-Kabīr by al-Fakhr al-Rāzī, vol. 32, p. 124; Majma‘ al-Bayān by al-Ṭabrisī, vol. 10, p. 835; Selected Commentary of Tafsīr al-Namūnah, vol. 5, pp. 560–599, among others)

It should be noted that while numerous interpretations of “al-Kawthar” exist, in light of the reason for the revelation (sabab al-nuzūl), the greatest and most perfect manifestation of al-Kawthar is none other than the sacred person of Lady Fāṭimah al-Zahrā (AS)—through whom the lineage of the Prophet (SAW) not only endured but flourished.

This is a divine miracle: while the polytheists believed only sons could ensure the continuity of lineage and boasted of their male offspring, Almighty Allah refuted all their assumptions by granting His beloved Messenger (SAW) “a daughter of immense stature”—Lady Fāṭimah (AS)—who, though his only surviving child, became the source of his vast and eternal progeny, the true Kawthar. Meanwhile, despite their many children, the Prophet’s enemies were rendered “abtar” (cut off) and ultimately perished.

In essence, Allah transformed “one into many” and “many into abtar.”
Before this divine wonder, all intellects stand in awe, and every thought falls silent.