2/131. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 784 — Al-Kawthar River in Paradise
Those Who Do Not Say That "Bismilaahir-Rahmanir-Rahim" Should Be Said Aloud
Al-Kawthar Hadith: A River Promised in Paradise
Sunan Abi Dawud : 784
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 784
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنِ الْمُخْتَارِ بْنِ فُلْفُلٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أُنْزِلَتْ عَلَىَّ آنِفًا سُورَةٌ " . فَقَرَأَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ { إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ } حَتَّى خَتَمَهَا . قَالَ " هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا الْكَوْثَرُ " . قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ . قَالَ " فَإِنَّهُ نَهْرٌ وَعَدَنِيهِ رَبِّي فِي الْجَنَّةِ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: A surah has just been revealed to me. He then recited:”In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Lo! We have given thee Abundance” until he finished it. Then he asked: Do you know what Abundance (al-Kawthar) is? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know it better. He said: It is a river of which my Lord, the Exalted, the Majestic has promised me to give in Paradise.
[3] Al-Kawthar 108.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 784In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 394English translation : Book 2, Hadith 783
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 784
This hadith explains the meaning of Al-Kawthar as stated by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in this narration. Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said a surah had just been revealed to him. He then recited Bismillah and Surah Al-Kawthar until he completed it. After that, he asked the companions if they knew what Al-Kawthar was. They replied with respect that Allah and His Messenger knew better. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that it is a river promised to him by his Lord in Paradise. For readers searching for Al-Kawthar hadith or river in Paradise hadith, this narration keeps the meaning direct and simple: Al-Kawthar is described here as a special river given to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
What we learn from this hadith
- Surah Al-Kawthar was recited by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in this report.
- The companions showed humility by saying Allah and His Messenger know best.
- Al-Kawthar is described here as a river in Paradise.
- The hadith connects Qur'an recitation with prophetic explanation.
