What is the logic of the verses like "To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance)" read in prayers?

- Somebody asked me this question: “What is the logic of the verses read in prayers? For instance, the chapter of al-Kawthar?"   

"1. To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance). 2. Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. 3. For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).''

- He says, ‘Is it not absurd for us to say them?’ How should I answer?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- First of all, the verses that a person who performs prayers has to read in all prayers are the verses of the chapter of al-Fatiha. It is clear that the chapter of al-Fatiha is closely related with the consciousness of worshipping. A person can read from any of the other chapters in prayer after it. Furthermore, an additional chapter or additional verses do not have to be read according to Shafii madhhab. If a person reads them, he should memorize the verses that teach him something according to his opinion and read them in prayers. For instance, he can always read the chapter of al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas.

- A person might not learn anything from some chapters and verses of the Quran but it does not mean that they do not teach anything to others. The Quran is a divine dinner table; everybody can pick the fruits that they like from it. 

- Besides, there is no verse that does not teach anything in the Quran but the person needs to reach the level to understand it.

For example, the following verse of the chapter of al-Kawthar

“To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance)” reminds people of the Fount of Abundance (Pond of Kawthar), which they will need the most in life in the hereafter. Kawthar means "a lot of goodness”; therefore, a person who reads this verse has his spirit lifted thinking that Allah can always do him favors and save him from distress. 

In addition, when a person reads the command “Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice”, he thinks about his duties of worship because these verses, which address the Prophet (pbuh), are also valid for the ummah. Besides, the whole Quran addresses all humanity except for a few special cases. That the reason why a verse was sent down is specific does not prevent the meaning from being general. The specificity of the address to the Prophet (pbuh) does not prevent the meaning from being general.

Accordingly, this command given to the Prophet (pbuh) is a command given to all believers that have the necessary conditions. A person who reads this verse can regard himself as an addressee of this command and thinks that it is a duty of worshipping to perform prayers and to sacrifice an animal; thus, he acts accordingly.

Similarly, there are many lessons to be taken from the verse “For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).'' Yes, a person thinks, based on this verse, that a deed of disrespect to the Prophet (pbuh) will be punished severely and he acts accordingly. Then, he thinks that the end of the enemies of the Messenger of Allah will be destruction and he is relieved of his distress.

What underlies the attacks against Islam and the Muslims all over the world today is the hatred of the Prophet (pbuh). Thus, we can think that their destruction is close.

- Furthermore, there is an important connection among the verses. “A lot of goodness” mentioned in the first verse includes the boons like the prophethood and the ummah given to the Prophet (pbuh).

That prayer and sacrifice are ordered in the verse after it shows that all deeds of worship performed by people are regarded as thanking Allah for the boons He gave beforehand; therefore, Paradise is a grant of His mercy only.

When everybody reads this chapter, they should think that they have to fulfill the duty of worshipping in return for all those grants and grace Allah gave him and that it is also a debt of conscience.

Those issues are the things that ordinary people like us know. The secrets that saints understand from this chapter are innumerable.

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