Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي) — the "Verse of the Throne" — is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the 2nd chapter of the Holy Quran. It is universally regarded by Islamic scholars as the greatest, most powerful verse in the entire Quran.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked his companion Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه): "Do you know which verse of Allah's Book is the greatest?" He replied: "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet ﷺ then said: "Ayatul Kursi." (Muslim)

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Ayatul Kursi — Complete Arabic Text

Surah Al-Baqarah · Verse 255 (2:255)

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Transliteration:
Allahu laa ilaaha illaa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyoom. Laa ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm. Lahoo maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard. Man dhalladhee yashfa'u 'indahoo illaa bi-idhnih. Ya'lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum. Wa laa yuheetoona bi-shay'im-min 'ilmihee illaa bimaa shaa'. Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal-ard. Wa laa ya'ooduhoo hifzuhumaa. Wa Huwal-'Aliyyul-'Azeem.
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) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
Quran 2:255

Word-by-Word Breakdown

Understanding each word of Ayatul Kursi deepens your connection when reciting it:

اللَّهُ
Allahu
Allah (God)
لَا إِلَٰهَ
laa ilaaha
there is no deity
إِلَّا هُوَ
illaa Huwa
except Him
الْحَيُّ
Al-Hayyu
the Ever-Living
الْقَيُّومُ
Al-Qayyoom
the Self-Sustaining
لَا تَأْخُذُهُ
laa ta'khudhuhu
does not seize Him
سِنَةٌ
sinatun
drowsiness/slumber
وَلَا نَوْمٌ
wa laa nawm
nor sleep
لَّهُ مَا
lahoo maa
to Him belongs whatever
فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
fis-samaawaati
in the heavens
وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ
wa maa fil-ard
and whatever is on earth
يَعْلَمُ
ya'lamu
He knows
كُرْسِيُّهُ
kursiyyuhu
His Throne (Kursi)
الْعَلِيُّ
Al-'Aliyyu
the Most High
الْعَظِيمُ
Al-'Azeem
the Most Great

Key Phrases Explained

1. "Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum" — The Ever-Living, The Self-Sustaining

These two names of Allah are considered the greatest pair of names. They appear together in Ayatul Kursi and in Surah Al-Imran (3:2). Al-Hayy means Allah is eternally alive without any beginning or end. Al-Qayyum means He sustains and maintains all of creation — everything depends on Him, while He depends on nothing.

2. "Neither Drowsiness nor Sleep Overtakes Him"

This refutes the idea that Allah can be distracted, inattentive, or unaware. Unlike any created being, Allah's attention and care never falters — not for even a fraction of a second. He is ever-watchful over you, your family, and all of creation, at every moment.

3. "His Kursi Extends over the Heavens and Earth"

The Kursi (translated as "Throne" or "Footstool") is a real, immense creation of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ explained: "The seven heavens in relation to the Kursi are like a ring thrown into a vast open field, and the Kursi in relation to the Throne (Arsh) is the same." (Ibn Hibban) — This shows the incomprehensible magnitude of Allah's creation and authority.

4. "Their Preservation Tires Him Not"

Maintaining the entire universe — every galaxy, every atom, every creature — is effortless for Allah. He does not grow tired, weary, or burdened. This should fill the believer with profound peace and trust (tawakkul) in Allah.

7 Authentic Benefits of Reciting Ayatul Kursi

1
The Greatest Verse in the Quran The Prophet ﷺ said: "The greatest verse in the Quran is Ayatul Kursi." (Muslim 810). Reciting it regularly means reciting the pinnacle of divine speech.
2
Gateway to Paradise After Every Prayer The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death." (An-Nasa'i, Al-Hakim — Sahih chain)
3
Complete Protection Before Sleep Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that Shaytan told him: "Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi before going to sleep, Allah appoints a guardian for him and Shaytan cannot come near him until morning." The Prophet ﷺ confirmed: "He has told the truth, though he is a liar." (Bukhari 2311)
4
Protection for Your Home The Prophet ﷺ advised: "When you enter your home, recite Ayatul Kursi and Shaytan will not enter your home that night." — A shield of divine protection around your household and family.
5
Protection Throughout the Day Reciting Ayatul Kursi in the morning keeps you in Allah's protection until evening. Reciting it in the evening keeps you protected until morning. This is narrated in authentic collections including An-Nasa'i.
6
Contains the Greatest Name of Allah (Ism Al-A'zam) Many scholars — including Ibn Al-Qayyim — stated that Ayatul Kursi, along with the opening of Surah Al-Imran and Surah Ta-Ha (verse 111), contains the Greatest Name of Allah (Ism Al-A'zam), by which dua is never rejected.
7
Reinforces Tawheed — The Foundation of Islam Every phrase of Ayatul Kursi affirms the absolute Oneness, power, knowledge, and self-sufficiency of Allah. Reciting it daily renews your Iman and strengthens your conviction in the core of Islam.

When to Recite Ayatul Kursi

🕌
After Every Salah
Recite immediately after every obligatory prayer (Fard). The Prophet ﷺ said only death prevents such a person from entering Paradise.
🌙
Before Sleeping
Recite once before sleeping. A guardian angel will be assigned to protect you from all harm until morning — this is from authentic Bukhari hadith.
🏠
Entering Your Home
Recite upon entering your home. Shaytan will not enter your home that night, providing protection for your household.
🌅
Morning & Evening
Include it in your morning adhkar (after Fajr) and evening adhkar (after Asr/Maghrib) as part of daily remembrance of Allah.
🤲
During Dua
Scholars recommend beginning lengthy dua sessions with Ayatul Kursi, as it contains the Greatest Name of Allah.
👶
Protecting Children
Many Muslim parents recite Ayatul Kursi over their sleeping children for divine protection — a beautiful prophetic practice.

How to Memorize Ayatul Kursi (Step-by-Step)

Ayatul Kursi can be memorized in as little as 3–7 days with consistent practice. Most children master it in 1–2 weeks. Here is the most effective method:
  1. Break it into 5 segments:
    • Segment 1: "Allahu laa ilaaha illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom"
    • Segment 2: "Laa ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm"
    • Segment 3: "Lahoo maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard"
    • Segment 4: "Man dhalldhee yashfa'u 'indahoo illaa bi-idhnih... wa laa yuheetoona bi-shay'im-min 'ilmihee illaa bimaa shaa'"
    • Segment 5: "Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal-ard... wa Huwal-'Aliyyul-'Azeem"
  2. Repeat each segment 10–20 times before moving to the next
  3. Connect segments — once each segment is solid, link them together
  4. Recite after every Salah — this is the fastest path to memorization
  5. Revise every day for at least one week before considering it memorized
🌟 Scholar's Tip: Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said: "There is no greater verse in the Quran in terms of status and protection than Ayatul Kursi. The one who recites it frequently, with understanding, will find their heart connected to Allah, their fear reduced, and their reliance on Allah increased."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي, "Verse of the Throne") is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah (Quran 2:255). It is declared by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to be the greatest verse in the entire Quran. It describes Allah's absolute sovereignty, perfect knowledge, infinite throne, and complete self-sufficiency.
What does Ayatul Kursi mean in English?
"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 extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." [Quran 2:255]
What are the benefits of reciting Ayatul Kursi after Salah?
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer (Salah), nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death." (An-Nasa'i — authenticated by Al-Albani). This makes it one of the most rewarding acts a Muslim can do — requiring only 30 seconds after each prayer.
Is Ayatul Kursi the same as Verse of the Throne?
Yes. "Ayatul Kursi" is the Arabic name and "Verse of the Throne" is the English translation. "Kursi" (كرسي) means throne or footstool in Arabic. The verse is called this because it describes the Kursi of Allah extending over the heavens and earth — a real, immense creation of Allah that represents His absolute authority and sovereignty.
Can children memorize Ayatul Kursi?
Absolutely. Children as young as 4–5 years old can begin learning Ayatul Kursi with the help of a teacher. Most children aged 6–10 can memorize it in 2–3 weeks with daily practice. It is one of the first things taught at NoorPath Academy's All-in-One Kids Program alongside Noorani Qaida and short Surahs.
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