The Difference between the ‘Haudh’ and the ‘Kawthar’

In the name of Allaah; Indeed all Praise is for Allaah and may Peace and Blessings be upon His Messenger.

People sometimes confuse the Haudh with the Kawthar, as the English translation for both is similar. In clearing this confusion, by the permission of Allaah, a number of differences and also some similarities between the Haudh and the Kawthar can be deduced.

Differences between the Haudh and Kawthar

1. The Kawthar is a flowing river in Paradise, whereas the Haudh will be a pond on Earth
2. Water will be channeled from the Kawthar to the Haudh
3. The Kawthar is currently present in Paradise, whereas the Haudh will emerge upon the Earth on the Day of Resurrection
4. The Kawthar is bigger than the Haudh, as water will be poured from it to the Haudh

Similarities between the Haudh and Kawthar

1.  They are both for the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) and his true followers
2.  The water of both the Kawthar and Haudh is the same, from Paradise, as the water of the Haudh is channeled from the Kawthar,

Allaah knows best, may He make us from those who drink from the Haudh and Kawthar.

The above points can be understood from the authentic Ahadeeth and also the words of the scholars. Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allaah have Mercy upon him) was asked:

Question: What is the pond of Haudh, and what is the difference between it and the river of Kawthar?

Response: The pond of Haudh is a pond upon the earth for the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) on the Day of Resurrection. The Kawthar is in Paradise, and from it water will be channeled into the Haudh on earth. The Haudh is what Allaah promised His Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam); the believers from his Ummah will be led to it.

It is a great pond, its length is a [journey of a] month and its width is also a month; the people of Imaan will be led to it.

Whoever drinks from it a single gulp will never feel thirsty again after it. Its utensils are the number of the stars; its water is from Paradise and is sent down from the river of Kawthar. This is the detail in this matter. The Haudh is on the earth; its water is from Paradise. 

The Kawthar is a river in Paradise and its water will be sent to the Haudh through channels, as the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

It will be poured into this Haudh on the Day of Resurrection; the believers will be led to it from the Ummah of Muhammad

The meaning of ‘earth’ is the Land of Gathering (i.e. the Hashr). The river [of Kawthar] is present now in Paradise, due to His saying (the Most High):

{Indeed we have given you the Kawthar} [01:108]

It is a great river in Paradise; on the Day of Resurrection water will be channeled from it to the earth; it will be replaced on the Day of Resurrection and people will be upon it [to drink]. [1]

الحوض المورود ونهر الكوثر

تقول السائلة: ما هو الحوض المورود؟ وما الفرق بينه وبين نهر الكوثر؟

الحوض المورود حوض في الأرض للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم القيامة، والكوثر في الجنة يصب منه ميزابان في الأرض في هذا الحوض الذي وعد الله به نبيّه عليه الصلاة والسلام، ويَرِد عليه المؤمنون من أمته وهو حوض عظيم طوله شهر وعرضه شهر يَرد عليه أهل الإيمان، فمن شَرِبَ منه شربة لم يظمأ بعدها أبداً، وآنيته عدد نجوم السماء، وماؤه من الجنة ينزل من نهر الكوثر، هذا هو تفصيل هذا الأمر.

الحوضُ في الأرض وماؤه من الجنة، والكوثر نهر في الجنة وماؤه ينزل في هذا الحوض من طريق ميزابين كما قاله النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصبَّان في هذا الحوض في يوم القيامة يَردُه المؤمنون من أمة محمد عليه الصلاة والسلام .

والمقصود بالأرض أرض المحشر، والنهر موجود في الجنة حالياًَ؛ لقوله تعالى: إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ[1]، وهو نهر عظيم في الجنة، ويوم القيامة يصب منه ميزابان في الأرض التي تبدل يوم القيامة ويكون عليها الناس.

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[1] سورة الكوثر الآية 1.