Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar
Sheikh Azhari and his children explore Surah Al-Kawthar, the shortest surah, the river in Jannah and its pond whiter than milk. For ages 4 to 9.
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What is Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar about?
Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar is an Islamic video for children aged 4 to 9 in which Sheikh Azhari and his children explore Surah Al-Kawthar, the shortest surah of the Qur'an.
What does al-Kawthar mean? It is a river, but the word also comes from "kathir", which means lots and lots. The Sheikh connects it with Eid day, when so many people come to pray in the morning.
Then comes story time. One day the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ dozed off and woke up smiling. When his companions asked him why, he said that a surah had just been revealed to him, and he recited Surah Al-Kawthar. Al-Kawthar is a river in Jannah that flows into a pond where the believers will drink, in sha Allah. There will be as many cups there as there are stars in the sky. The children compare it with the rivers they know, the Nile and the Thames: their water looks blue, but this water will be whiter than milk and sweeter than honey, and the Sheikh tells them there will be pearls where you would expect sand.
The surah goes on: "So pray to your Lord and sacrifice." Back to Eid: where do the biryani and the chicken nuggets come from? From Allah, who made the animals. We make the meat halal by slaughtering the animal in the name of Allah, with Bismillah. We pray to Allah, and we do everything for Him.
The last verse speaks of those who were cruel to the Prophet ﷺ: it is they who are cut off. If we love the Prophet ﷺ and try to be like him, the Sheikh says, Allah will love us. The episode ends with the family reciting the surah, lasts about 8 minutes and is music-free.
What your child will learn
- Al-Kawthar is a river in Jannah that Allah gave the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Its pond has water whiter than milk and cups as many as the stars.
- We pray to Allah and do everything for Him alone.
- Meat is halal when the animal is slaughtered in the name of Allah, with Bismillah.
- If we love the Prophet ﷺ and follow him, Allah will love us.
Where this video comes from
- Surah Al-Kawthar 108:1-3: We have given you al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. It is the one who hates you who is cut off.
- Sahih Muslim 400: The Prophet ﷺ dozed, raised his head smiling and said a surah had just been revealed to him; he recited Al-Kawthar and said it is a river his Lord has promised him.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6579: The Prophet's pond has water whiter than milk, and its cups are as many as the stars of the sky.
- Jami at-Tirmidhi 3361: Al-Kawthar is a river in Jannah whose banks are of gold and which flows over pearls and rubies.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6581: The river of al-Kawthar, whose pebbles are pearls and whose soil is musk.
- Surah Al Imran 3:31: Say, if you love Allah, follow me, and Allah will love you.
Talk about it afterwards
- What does al-Kawthar mean?
- Why was the Prophet ﷺ smiling when he woke up?
- What will the water of the pond be like?
- How can we try to be more like the Prophet ﷺ?
Words to know
- Al-Kawthar
- Abundance; a river in Jannah given to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Kathir
- Lots and lots.
- Halal
- Allowed; meat slaughtered in the name of Allah.
- Sahabah
- The companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar suitable for?
Children aged 4 to 9. It is a relaxed family conversation, with stories and questions the children join in.
Is Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar based on the Qur'an?
Yes. It explains Surah Al-Kawthar, and adds hadith from Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari about the river and its pond.
Does Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar have music?
No. It is music-free.
How long is Tafseer: Surah Al Kauthar?
About 8 minutes.
