The Series of Al-Kawthar | Part 2

📖 In the previous section, we explored the meanings of Al-Kawthar across various works of Quranic commentary, seeing that their common thread is الْخَيْرُ الْكَثِيرُ — “abundant goodness,” which refers to Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (pbuh).

🖋According to Arabic grammar, the Alif and Lam (الـ) in الْكَوْثَر indicate comprehensiveness and universality; that is, a goodness that is absolute and encompasses all forms of goodness.

💡 In the first stage of understanding the meaning of “Al-Kawthar,” we arrive at two words: خَيْر and كَثِير — goodness and abundant.

The Prophet (pbuh) was sitting with Imam Ali (pbuh). One of the Muslims stood up and recited the verse:

“Indeed, those who believe and perform righteous deeds — they are the best of creation.”

The Prophet (pbuh) pointed toward Imam Ali (pbuh) and said:

“Indeed, this man and his followers are the best of creation.”

In other words, goodness (khayr) is the identity of the followers of Ali (pbuh).

God says in Surah Hud, verse 86:

“The remainder of God is better for you, if you are believers.”

_The special title of Imam al-Mahdi (pbuh) which is used in the Qur’an, is Baqiyyatullah (بَقِيَّةُ اللهِ), and his defining description is خيرٌ لَّكُمْ — better for you or a goodness for you.

🏰 First, one must enter the fortress of the Guardianship of Ali (pbuh) and become a believer; only then does one enter the realm of goodness (khayr).

❤️ In other words, the Guardianship (wilayah) of Fatimah (pbuh) is more specific than the wilayah of Haydar (pbuh), but the  love of Fatimah (pbuh) is more universal than the love of Haydar (pbuh).

In the Ziyarat al-Jami'ah al-Kabirah, we say:

“If goodness is mentioned, you are its origin, its branch, its source, its refuge, and its beginning and its ultimate end.”

That is, the absolute goodness in the universe is you, O 🕊 Household of the Prophet (pbuh).

Imam Sadiq (pbuh) says:

“We are the origin of every goodness, and from our branches come every form of righteousness; and among those forms of righteousness is Tauwhid.”

And our enemies are the origin of every evil, and from their branches come all ugly sins and immoralities.

🌿 The recognition of Fatimah (pbuh) is limitless. One of the pleasures of  Paradise is that the worldly veils clouding our recognition of her holiness will be lifted. In Paradise, Lady Fatimah (pbuh) will be known without any veils — and that recognition, too, is limitless.