Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Muslim):
When one of the Prophet's sons died, Al-As ibn Wa'il (or Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt in other narrations) said: "Muhammad has been cut off — he has no posterity." The Arabs called a man with no sons "abtar" (cut off). So Allah revealed this surah.
Significance:
- "We have given you Al-Kawthar" — boundless goodness: the heavenly river, prophethood, the Quran, or the multitude of followers
- "Your hater is the one cut off" — history proved this: the Prophet's name is recited billions of times daily while Al-As ibn Wa'il is forgotten
- The surah answers the insult with the logic of history
Question: Who is meant by "your hater is the one cut off"?
Answer: Al-As ibn Wa'il, who called the Prophet "cut off." The surah reversed this: he is the one truly forgotten while the Prophet's name endures.