Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse)

The 255th verse of the second chapter (Surah Al-Baqarah) of the Quran, considered the greatest verse in Islam. It describes God’s sovereignty, omnipotence, and omniscience, and is widely recited for protection and blessings.

The Verse

Arabic

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Transliteration

Allāhu lā ilāha illā huwa, al-Ḥayyu al-Qayyūm, lā ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa lā nawm, lahu mā fī s-samāwāti wa mā fī l-arḍ, man dhā lladhī yashfa’u ‘indahu illā bi-idhnih, ya’lamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā khalfahum, wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi-shay’in min ‘ilmihi illā bi-mā shā’, wasi’a kursiyyuhu s-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ, wa lā ya’ūduhu ḥifẓuhumā, wa huwa l-‘Aliyyu l-‘Aẓīm

English Translation

Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi (Throne/Footstool) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Quranic Context

Position in the Quran

• Located in Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), the longest chapter
• Verse 255 of 286 verses in the surah
• Revealed in Medina
• Part of a section dealing with faith and disbelief

Why Called “Verse of the Throne”

The verse mentions Allah’s Kursi (كُرْسِيّ), translated as “Throne” or “Footstool”:

• Represents Allah’s sovereignty and dominion
• Symbolizes His knowledge and authority
• Classical scholars debated whether literal or metaphorical
• Emphasizes the vastness of Allah’s power and knowledge

Theological Themes

Divine Attributes (Sifat)

1. Tawhid (Divine Unity)

• “There is no deity except Him” - absolute monotheism
• Negates all partnership with Allah
• Foundation of Islamic belief

2. Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living)

• Self-subsistent, eternal life
• Source of all life
• Never ceasing to exist

3. Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer)

• Self-sufficient, needing nothing
• Sustainer of all existence
• Everything depends on Him

4. Divine Transcendence

• “Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him”
• Beyond human limitations
• Perfect vigilance and awareness

5. Universal Sovereignty

• Owns everything in heavens and earth
• Absolute authority and dominion
• Nothing exists independent of His will

6. Intercession by Permission Only

• No one can intercede without His permission
• Even angels and prophets need His leave
• Emphasizes His absolute authority

7. Omniscience

• Knows past, present, and future
• Complete and perfect knowledge
• Humans know only what He permits

8. The Throne/Footstool

• Vastness beyond comprehension
• Symbol of majesty and dominion
• Encompasses all creation

9. Effortless Preservation

• Maintains all creation without effort or weariness
• Infinite power
• Perfect control

10. Al-‘Aliyy Al-‘Azim (Most High, Most Great)

• Exalted above all
• Greatest in every way
• Perfect in all attributes

Significance in Islamic Practice

Hadith About Ayat al-Kursi

Prophet Muhammad emphasized its importance:

• Greatest Verse: “The greatest verse in the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi”
• Protection: “Whoever recites it when going to bed, Allah appoints a guardian over him and Satan cannot approach until morning”
• After Prayer: “Whoever recites it after each obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death”
• Treasure from Heaven: “Given as a treasure from beneath the Throne”

Common Uses

1. After Each Prayer

• Recited after the five daily obligatory prayers
• Part of post-prayer supplications (adhkar)
• Brings blessings and protection

2. Before Sleep

• For protection during the night
• Against evil spirits and bad dreams
• Ensures peaceful rest

3. Protection and Safety

• Recited when afraid or in danger
• For protection of home and family
• Before travel
• During illness

4. Teaching Children

• Often first Quranic verse memorized after Al-Fatiha
• Part of Islamic education
• Instills God-consciousness from young age

5. Special Occasions

• Birth of a child
• Moving to a new home
• Beginning important endeavors
• Seeking Allah’s protection

Spiritual Benefits (According to Islamic Tradition)

Protection

• From Satan and evil spirits (shayatin)
• From harm and misfortune
• For one’s household and possessions
• During sleep and waking hours

Blessings (Barakah)

• In one’s affairs and endeavors
• In sustenance and provision
• In family and relationships
• General well-being

Spiritual Elevation

• Increases faith (iman)
• Brings consciousness of Allah (taqwa)
• Purifies the heart
• Connects believer to Allah’s attributes

Scholarly Commentaries

Classical Tafsir (Exegesis)

Ibn Kathir: Emphasized its comprehensive description of Allah’s attributes and majesty

Al-Qurtubi: Explained the Kursi as Allah’s knowledge encompassing all creation

Al-Tabari: Detailed the linguistic and theological significance of each phrase

Al-Zamakhshari: Analyzed its rhetorical beauty and theological precision

The Kursi Debate

Scholars debated the nature of the Kursi:

• Literal Interpretation: An actual throne/footstool beyond human comprehension
• Metaphorical: Symbolizing Allah’s knowledge and sovereignty
• Middle Path: Real but transcendent, beyond material understanding

Most agree it represents Allah’s majesty and dominion in a way humans cannot fully grasp.

Comparison with Other Scriptures

Similar Themes

• Echoes Shema in affirming divine unity
• Parallels biblical descriptions of God’s sovereignty
• Similar to Psalms in praising God’s majesty
• Universal in describing monotheistic attributes

Distinctive Elements

• Kursi: Unique image not found in Bible
• Comprehensive: Combines multiple divine attributes in one verse
• Intercess ion: Specific emphasis on permission
• Non-sleeping God: Explicitly stated (cf. Psalm 121:4)

Cultural Impact

In Islamic Art

• Frequently inscribed in calligraphy
• Adorns mosques and homes
• Found on amulets and jewelry
• Subject of artistic expression

In Daily Life

• Displayed in Muslim homes and businesses
• Recited at communal gatherings
• Part of wedding and birth celebrations
• Integral to Islamic identity

Educational Role

• Taught in madrasas and Islamic schools
• Part of Quran memorization programs
• Subject of sermons and lessons
• Tool for teaching tawhid

Contemporary Practice

Ayat al-Kursi remains:

• One of the most memorized Quranic verses
• A source of comfort and protection for Muslims worldwide
• A daily part of Islamic devotional practice
• A comprehensive statement of Islamic monotheism
• A connection to prophetic tradition
• A bridge between theological doctrine and lived faith

For over 1,400 years, Muslims have found in this verse a complete and profound expression of God’s majesty, power, and care for creation. Its regular recitation serves as a constant reminder of Allah’s absolute sovereignty and the believer’s complete dependence on Him.