OUR STORY
What is Kawthar?
We aim is to develop a community based off of the example of our beloved Prophet ﷺ set in Madinah - not a guild for the perfect, but a center where people may come as they are, connect with each other, heal their hurts, and grow in line with the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Madinat al-Nabi, the city of the Prophet ﷺ is the exemplar community - a vibrant city where people knew one another, took care of each other, learned from the Prophet ﷺ, and worshipped together. The sahabah, the companions of the Prophet ﷺ, were not perfect humans, but they were praised by Allah in the Qur’an. Why? Their relationship with Allah and their treatment of the people around them were directly developed by the Prophet ﷺ.
That is the goal of Kawthar Community.
Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. (1)
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]. (2)
Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. (3)
Healing & Guidance.
When the son of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Ibrahim, passed away, he was heartbroken. It was such a tragic loss, and one of many experienced by the Prophet ﷺ. However, this one was unique in that it was his youngest child.
قَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ الْعَيْنَ تَدْمَعُ، وَالْقَلْبَ يَحْزَنُ، وَلاَ نَقُولُ إِلاَّ مَا يَرْضَى رَبُّنَا، وَإِنَّا بِفِرَاقِكَ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ لَمَحْزُونُونَ
With tears in his eyes, the Prophet ﷺ said, "The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your separation."
In the midst of this grief, the enemies of Islam used this as an opportunity to further cut down the Prophet ﷺ, claiming he was “al-abtar,” someone whose lineage was cut off as he had no surviving male heirs and this was yet another loss.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the most beloved of Allah, and Allah takes care of those whom He loves. He sent down the verses of Surah al-Kawthar as a healing, guidance, and hope for the Prophet ﷺ and the believers, an admonition to the disbelievers, and a reminder for all.
With only three short verses, it is the shortest chapter of the Qur’an. But this short surah has an abundance of virtues and lessons, and serves as the inspiration for our organization, Kawthar.
Connect.
Kawthar is a place of connection. While the enemies of Islam thought that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was cut off, Allah gave him a legacy like no one before or after him. We are a part of his legacy.
At Kawthar, we’ll foster those connections and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
And those fools who would mock the Prophet ﷺ ? They are the ones who are truly cut off.
جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا
"Truth has come, and falsehood has
departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature],
ever bound to depart." (Surah Isra 17:81)
Heal.
Kawthar is a place of healing. Just like Allah sent Surah al-Kawthar down to the Prophet ﷺ to heal his aching heart, this is a place where broken hearts and souls can be mended.
The Qur’an is known as al-Shifa’, the Healing, and plays a central role in our programming. The Prophet ﷺ is gifted with the Fountain of al-Kawthar in the Hereafter. But to be able to drink from his hands from the fountain, we must be considered apart of his ummah. So his Sunnah, learning it, and practicing it, will be the key to our success.
رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ
تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "I have
left two matters with you. As long as you
hold to them, you will not go the wrong way.
They are the Book of Allah and the Sunnah
of His Prophet." (Muwatta Malik)
Grow.
Kawthar is a place of growth. The word Kawthar has the meaning of abundant goodness inherent to it. The Prophet’s ﷺ is not cut off, rather his legacy, like the drops of water from his fountain in the Hereafter, is abundant and great.
Kawthar aims to be a place of abundant goodness by serving the needs of the community. It is a place to grow in one’s relationships, knowledge, health and well-being, and ultimately, closeness to Allah.
اللَّهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْعَبْدِ مَا كَانَ الْعَبْدُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ
“Allah helps His slave as long as he helps
his brother.” (Sahih Muslim)
Where are we located?
Based in the Baltimore, Maryland area, we are situated in the northwest suburb of Owings Mills. The closest masjid is the Islamic Center of Owings Mills, with the next closest masajid being 20-30 minutes away. We are not associated with any masjid, making Kawthar Community a third space, unique to the greater DMV area.