Little Minarets

Abundance · Surah 108 · 3 ayat · Qur'an 108:1–3

Surah Al-Kawthar

When: Any time; a good short surah to recite in salah

Listen, then say it with me

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

  1. إِنَّآ أَعْطَيْنَـٰكَ ٱلْكَوْثَرَ

    Ayah 1Inna a'taynakal-kawthar

    We have given you al-Kawthar, so much goodness.

  2. فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَٱنْحَرْ

    Ayah 2Fa-salli li-Rabbika wanhar

    So pray to your Lord, and offer a sacrifice.

  3. إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ ٱلْأَبْتَرُ

    Ayah 3Inna shani'aka huwal-abtar

    It is the one who hates you who is cut off from all good.

For parents & teachers

Teaching this surah

Three ayat make this the shortest surah, so it is a confidence boost: "I know a whole surah!" Children can learn it in a week. Talk about the word kawthar, so much good that it can't be counted, and ask your child to count the good things Allah has given your family today. It is also a good moment to explain sacrifice at Eid al-Adha, when families share meat with relatives and people in need.

By age: Ages 3 and up: three short ayat.

About this surah

Al-Kawthar means "Abundance": a great amount of goodness. It is the shortest surah in the Qur'an, just three ayat, and it was revealed to comfort the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Al-Kawthar is also the name of a river in Paradise given to him (Sahih al-Bukhari 4965). Tanzil lists it as revealed in Mecca. Short and strong, it is a favorite first surah to recite in salah.

Where it comes from

Learn next

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