38/10. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2542 — Al-Kawthar River in Paradise
What Has Been Related Concerning the Description of the Birds of Paradise
Al-Kawthar River Hadith: A Gift in Paradise
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2542
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2542
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا الْكَوْثَرُ قَالَ " ذَاكَ نَهْرٌ أَعْطَانِيهِ اللَّهُ يَعْنِي فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَشَدُّ بَيَاضًا مِنَ اللَّبَنِ وَأَحْلَى مِنَ الْعَسَلِ فِيهَا طَيْرٌ أَعْنَاقُهَا كَأَعْنَاقِ الْجُزُرِ " . قَالَ عُمَرُ إِنَّ هَذِهِ لَنَاعِمَةٌ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَكَلَتُهَا أَنْعَمُ مِنْهَا " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ هُوَ ابْنُ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ الزُّهْرِيِّ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ قَدْ رَوَى عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ وَأَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) was asked: "What Is Al-Kawthar?" He Said: "That Is A River That Allah Has Given Me"- That Is, In Paradise- 'Whiter Than Milk And Sweeter Than Honey. In It Are Birds Whose Necks Are Like The Necks Of Camels." 'Umar Said: "Indeed This Is Plump And Luxurious Then." So The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) Said, "Those Who Consume It Are More Plump Than It."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2542In-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 20English translation : Vol. 4, Book 12, Hadith 2542
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2542
This hadith answers a direct question: what is Al-Kawthar? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says it is a river that Allah has given him in Paradise. Its water is described as whiter than milk and sweeter than honey, which makes the beauty of Al-Kawthar easy to picture without going beyond the text. The hadith also mentions birds in it whose necks are like the necks of camels. When Umar رضي الله عنه remarks on how fine and luxurious those birds are, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says that those who consume them are even more fine. The focus here is the honor given to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the rich blessings prepared in Paradise.
What we learn from this hadith
- Al-Kawthar is described as a river given to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in Paradise.
- Paradise blessings are described with pure sweetness and beauty.
- The hadith mentions birds in Paradise without turning it into worldly detail.
- The response of Umar shows wonder at the richness of Paradise.
