Ayat al-Kursi

What is Ayat al-Kursi?

Ayat al-Kursi is the "Verse of the Throne" — verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah (chapter 2), and one of the most majestic and frequently recited verses in the entire Quran. In a single verse it declares the absolute sovereignty, knowledge, and power of God over all creation. The Prophet ﷺ described it as the greatest verse in the Quran.

The Full Text of Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255)

Ayat al-Kursi is the 255th verse of Surah al-Baqarah. Here is the complete verse with transliteration and English translation:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ 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 taʾkhudhuhu sinatun wa lā nawm. Lahu mā fī as-samāwāti wa mā fī al-arḍ. Man dhā alladhī yashfaʿu ʿindahu illā bi-idhnih. Yaʿlamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā khalfahum, wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi-shayʾin min ʿilmihi illā bimā shāʾ. Wasiʿa kursiyyuhu as-samāwāti wa al-arḍ, wa lā yaʾūduhu ḥifẓuhumā, wa huwa al-ʿaliyyu al-ʿaẓīm.

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 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 nothing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:255)

The Meaning of the Verse

Ayat al-Kursi proclaims God's oneness and supreme attributes: He is the Ever-Living (al-Hayy), the Sustainer of all (al-Qayyum); neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth; none can intercede except by His permission; His knowledge encompasses everything; His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth; and preserving them does not tire Him. It is a complete declaration of Tawhid.

The Virtues of Ayat al-Kursi

• The Prophet ﷺ said it is the greatest verse of the Quran (Muslim 810)
• Whoever recites it after each obligatory prayer, nothing stands between him and entering Paradise except death (Nasai)
• It is a powerful protection: reciting it before sleep places a guardian over a person so that no devil approaches until morning (Bukhari 2311)
• It is part of the recommended morning and evening remembrances

When to Recite Ayat al-Kursi

• After every obligatory prayer
• Before going to sleep, for protection through the night
• In the morning and evening adhkar
• For seeking refuge from evil and harm (ruqyah)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ayat al-Kursi so important?

Because in one verse it gathers the foundations of belief in God — His life, sustaining power, knowledge, sovereignty, and majesty — which is why the Prophet ﷺ called it the greatest verse of the Quran.

Is reciting it before sleep authentic?

Yes. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari that the one who recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping has a protector from Allah and no devil comes near him until morning.