[a] There are some, however, who think it to have been revealed at Medina.

[b] Al Cawthar;] This word signifies abundance, especially of good, and thence the gift of wisdom and prophecy, the Korân, the office of intercessor, &c. Or it may imply abundance of children, followers, and the like. It is generally, however, expounded of a river in paradise of that name, whence the water is derived into Mohammed’s pond, of which the blessed are to drink before their admission into that place ^[1] . According to a tradition of the prophet’s, this river, wherein his Lord promised him abundant good, is sweeter than honey, whiter than milk, cooler than snow, and smoother than cream; its banks are of chrysolites, and the vessels to drink thereout of silver; and those who drink of it shall never thirst ^[1] .
Euthymius Zigabenus, instead of Cauthar, reading Canthar, supposes the word to have the same signification in Arabic as in Greek, and translates the two first verses of the chapter thus: [Greek text], i.e. We have given thee the beetle; wherefore pray unto thy Lord, and slay it; and then he cries out, O wonderful and magnificent sacrifice, worthy of the legislator!

[1] See the Prelim. Disc. §. IV. p. 95.

[1] Al Beidawi, Jallal. &c.

[a] Pray unto thy Lord, and slay the victims;] Which are to be sacrificed at the pilgrimage in the valley of Mina. Al Beidawi explains the words thus: Pray with fervency and intense devotion, not out of hypocrisy; and slay the fatted camels and oxen, and distribute the flesh among the poor: for he says this chapter is the counterpart of the preceding, exhorting to those virtues which are opposite to the vices there condemned.

[b] He who hateth thee, shall be childless;] These words were revealed against al As Ebn Wayel, who, on the death of al Kâsem, Mohammed’s son, called that prophet Abtar, which signifies one who has no children, or posterity ^[2] .

[2] In Panoplia dogmat. inter Sylburgii Saracenic. p. 29.