Kawthar

Kawthar is an Arabic term meaning abundance or plenitude. In Islamic tradition, it appears as a proper noun in two related senses: Al-Kawthar, the name given to a river in Paradise promised to the Prophet Muhammad, and Surah Al-Kawthar, the 108th chapter of the Qur'an. The term is associated with blessings, bounty, and a surplus of good.

Surah Al-Kawthar is the Qur’an’s shortest chapter, comprising three verses. It is believed to have been revealed to console Muhammad during a period of hardship. The chapter states that God has granted the Prophet abundant blessings, and it commands him to perform ritual prayer and to sacrifice. It also indicates that those who oppose or mock him will be deprived or “cut off.” The surah emphasizes divine favor and gratitude.

Linguistically, Kawthar derives from the Arabic root K-W-TH, signifying abundance. It is commonly used as a feminine given name in many Muslim communities, with transliterations including Kawthar, Kauser, Kausar, and Kauthar. The name is widely found across the Arab world, South Asia, and other regions, and may appear in personal names, places, or institutions inspired by the term’s meaning.

In contemporary usage, Kawthar is encountered in religious contexts, literature, and as a personal name. Variants and spellings reflect differing transliteration practices from Arabic.