Verse 1
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
Innā aʿṭaynākal-kawthar
“Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar.”
Reviewed July 2026
Learn Surah Al-Kawthar الكوثر
The shortest surah of the Qur'an: three verses you can realistically learn today. Tap between the Arabic, how to say it, and what it means, and listen to each verse recited.
Verse 2
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
Fa-ṣalli li-rabbika wanḥar
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].”
Verse 3
إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ
Inna shāniʾaka huwal-abtar
“Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.”
When reciting, open with Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm, “In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful”, as with every surah recited from the beginning. The English is an interpretation of the meaning (after Saheeh International), not a replacement for the Arabic.
Surah Al-Kawthar, answered
Is Al-Kawthar really the shortest surah?
Yes, three verses, about ten words in Arabic, making it the shortest surah of the Qur'an. Most people can memorize it in a single sitting, which makes it a favorite early surah for new Muslims who want a second surah for their prayers quickly.
What does 'al-Kawthar' mean?
Literally 'abundance', the abundant good given to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In authentic narrations it is also the name of a river in Paradise granted to him. The surah was a consolation: whatever his enemies said, the one 'cut off' would be them, not him.
When can I recite Al-Kawthar in prayer?
In any rakʿah, right after Al-Fatiha, any surah or portion of the Qur'an is valid there. A very common beginner pattern is Al-Fatiha plus Al-Ikhlas in one rakʿah and Al-Fatiha plus Al-Kawthar in the next.