Ayat Al Kursi (Arabic: آيَة ٱلْكُرْسِيّ) translates to "The Verse of the Throne", is the 255th verse of the second chapter (Surah Al-Baqarah) of the Quran. This powerful verse holds great significance in Islam and is recited by millions of Muslims around the world for protection and blessings.
Significance
Ayat Al Kursi is a verse that describes the greatness and power of Allah ﷻ. It emphasizes His sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, highlighting His knowledge and wisdom. The verse serves as a reminder of the omnipotence of God ﷻ and the importance of seeking His protection.
From Abu bin Ka'ab: The Prophet ﷺ asked him: 'Which verse in the Book of Allah is the greatest?' I said, 'Ayat al-Kursi: "Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists" [Al-Baqarah: 255].' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Congratulations upon your knowledge, O Abu al-Mundhir.' By Him in Whose hand my soul is, it has a tongue and two lips, and it sanctifies Allah's ﷻ sovereignty at the foot of the Throne.'"
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said: "For everything there is a summit (an apex or high peak), and the apex of the Quran is Surah Al-Baqarah. In it, there is an Ayah which is the chief of all Ayahs of the Quran; it is Ayat al-Kursi."
Translation
"Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot encompass any of His knowledge except for what He wills [to reveal]. His Kursi [seat] encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Greatest" [Al Baqarah:255].
The Revelation
Ayat al-Kursi, also known as the Throne Verse, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during his time in Medina, specifically after the migration from Mecca.
And from Muhammad ibn al-Hanifiyyah that he said: 'When Ayat al-Kursi was revealed, every idol fell broken, and every king's crown fell off their heads, and the devils were driven to fight amongst themselves. They gathered to Iblis (Satan) and informed him of this. He ordered them to search for the cause, so they came to the city and were informed that Ayat al-Kursi had been revealed."
Benefits of Recitation
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne) holds numerous virtues and blessings in Islamic tradition. Here are some of its merits:
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Protection from Evil: Ayat al-Kursi is a powerful invocation for seeking protection from evil forces, such as sorcery, jinxes and evil eye, Satan and his temptations.
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Guardian Angels: It invokes your guardian angels, who provide protection and divine assistance to the believer if recited once at dawn and once at dusk (morning and evening prayers).
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Enrichment of Faith: Reciting Ayat al-Kursi enhances one's faith and strengthens their connection with Allah. It serves as a reminder of the greatness and majesty of Allah ﷻ, as well as His omnipotence and sovereignty over all creation.
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Cleansing of Sins: Ayat al-Kursi is believed to be a means of seeking forgiveness for one's sins. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after each prescribed prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death."
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Protection During Sleep: Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before going to sleep provides protection throughout the night. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before going to bed, Allah ﷻ will send a guardian angel to protect him until morning."
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Protection of Homes: "Whoever recites it in the four corners of their house, it will become a guardian for the house and the devil will leave it". Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "In Surah Al-Baqarah, there is a verse which is the chief of all the verses of the Qur'an, and it is never recited in a house but the devil leaves: Ayat al-Kursi".
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Divine Protection after prayer: If recited after performing prayer, it invokes Allah's ﷻ protection until the time of the next prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every prayer, it will be preserved for him until the next prayer".
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Seeking Intervention: From Abu Qatadah, that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi and the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at times of distress, Allah ﷻ, the Exalted, will answer him."
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Blessings of Abundance: Aisha (May God be Pleased with her) narrated that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and complained to him that his home was devoid of blessings. So the Prophet ﷺ said to him: "Where are you regarding Ayat al-Kursi? (as in, how often do you recite it?) Whenever you recite it over food or drink, Allah ﷻ will bless that food and drink."
Narrated by Salamah bin Wardan, Anas bin Malik, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, reported that the Prophet ﷺ asked a man from his companions, "O so-and-so, have you married?" He replied, "No, and I do not have what I can marry with." The Prophet ﷺ then asked, "Do you not possess the surah 'Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad' (Surat Al Ikhlas, The Sincerity)?" He replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a quarter of the Quran." He asked, "Do you not possess the surah 'Say, "O disbelievers" (Surat Al Kafirun, The Disbelievers)?" He replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a quarter of the Quran." He asked, "Do you not possess "when the earth quakes? (Surat Al Zalzalah, The Earthquake)", He replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a quarter of the Quran." He asked, "Do you not possess "When Allah's help and victory comes (Surat Al Nasr, The Victory)?" He replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a quarter of the Quran." He asked, "Do you not possess Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse)? {Allah! There is no deity except Him}?" He replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is a quarter of the Quran."
Significance in Daily Life
Many Muslims recite Ayat Al Kursi after each obligatory prayer as a way to seek protection from harm and to strengthen their connection with Allah ﷻ. It is also common to recite this verse before going to bed or leaving the house, as a means of seeking Allah's ﷻ protection throughout the day.
Translation and Pronunciation
In the video below is a recitation that includes pronunciation and English translation. Kindly do not forget to leave a Like, and subscribe to their channel.
