Surah Kausar – A Surah Carrying Great News and Rewards
Besides the spiritual elevation and awakening the listening and learning of the verses of the Quran bring, there are numerous Surahs and ayahs that are popular among Muslims either because of their mention by Prophet (PBUH) or there simple popularity among the masses due to the appeal of the Surah. Kausar is one such Surah of Quran.
The major reason behind the popularity of Surah Kausar is the fact that it is easy to remember and every Muslim remembers it to recite in prayer and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also spoken about it in various hadiths as well. Given below is the transliteration and translation of reach verse in this little surah:
Transliteration – Inna aAAtaynakaalkawthar. Fasalli lirabbika wanhar. Inna shani-aka huwa al-abtar.
Transliteration – Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar.So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.
The lines below discuss the importance and benefit of Surah Kausar with reference to its mentions in different hadith of Prophet (PBUH), but first something about the revelation of Surah Kausar.
Revelation:
Surah Kausar is the 108th Surah of Quran and is one of the Surahs that was revealed in Madina. Pertaining to its revelation the following event is narrated in the books of ahadith:
“The Holy Prophet was among us. In the meantime He dozed; then He raised His head, smiling, according to some traditions, the people asked what for He was smiling, according to others, He Himself told them that a Surah had just been revealed to Him. Then, with Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, he recited Surah Al-Kauthar; then he asked the people whether they knew what Kauthar was. When they said that Allah and his Messenger had the best knowledge, He said; It is a river which my Lord has granted me in Paradise.” (Muslim)
Hadiths About Kausar:
In addition to the mention of the Surah Kausar, the hadiths carry great references of the river or fountain of Kausar that will be provided to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the life Hereafter or on the Judgment Day. Some major hadiths referring to the fountain of Kausar are discussed below:
Prophet (PBUH) said in a hadith:
“This is a Fountain at which my Ummah will assemble on the Resurrection Day.” (Muslim)
Moreover, in another hadith Prophet (PBUH) added to the earlier hadith:
“I shall have arrived at the Fountain before you.” (Bukhari)
From this hadith it becomes clear that the fountain of Kauthar will be the place around which those who believe in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will gather on the Judgment Day. Therefore, it stands as a point of gathering on the day of Resurrection; moreover, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be the first to be there while the rest will gather after His arrival.
At another occasion in one of His hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned:
“After me you will meet with selfishness and nepotism, endure it patiently until you meet me at the Fountain.” (Bukhari)
This hadith is a beautiful answer to those who think that in a society where there is nepotism, they can also use their connections to get the benefits. In times of nepotism, Prophet (PBUH) has mentioned to stay patient, and the reward of it shall be in meeting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the judgment day at the Fountain of Kausar.
Pertaining to the water of the fountain, Prophet (PBUH) has also mentioned its source in the following way:
“Two channels from Paradise will flow into it and supply water to it.” (Muslim)
Thus, the water of Fountain Kausar will come from paradise where there is a river by the name of Kausar. Hence, the water of this fountain will be heavenly in its nature.
Pertaining to the effects of the water on the senses or how it will be perceived by the senses, the following show the essence of different traditions of Prophet (PBUH) with regards to the description of the water:
“Its water will be whiter than milk, cooler than snow, sweeter than honey; the earth of its bed will be more fragrant than musk; the water jugs set at it will be as numerous as the stars in the sky: the one who drinks from it would never thirst; and the one who is deprived of it will never have his thirst satisfied.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
As far as the people who will be deprived from the Fountain of Kausar, Prophet (PBUH) said in His hadith about them in the following way:
“After me those from among you who would affect changes in my Way, will be removed from the Fountain and will be disallowed to approach it. I shall say: they are my companions, but it will be said: “Don’t you know what they did after you? Then I too shall discard them and tell them to keep away.” (Muslim, Bukhari)
Bottom Line:
In a nutshell, one of the major reasons why Muslims are fond of reading and reciting Surah Kausar is the fact that it contains the mention of the Fountain of Kausar which every Muslim will be eying on the judgment day. Thus, by reciting and memorizing this Surah Muslims actually imagine the Fountain and pray for them being one of those who will be there alongside Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
