Sayyidina Abu Huraira (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) said,
“Everything has a hump and the hump of the Quran is surah al-Baqarah. There is a verse in it that is the chief of all verses of the Qur’an, the Ayat al Kursi.”
(Tirmidhi 2887)
Indeed, there are lots of Hikmah (guidance) and Barakah (blessings) in the Holy Quran. The reciter gets reward for each and every letter of the verses of the Quran while recitation. Now imagine the reward and beneficiary that the chief of all the verses of the Quran holds. Truly unimaginable!
Ayat al Kursi is indeed one of the greatest blessings that have been bestowed upon mankind by Allah SWT. There are infinite rewards of reciting it daily and making it a part of our daily Dhikr and Azkar. Let’s explore more about the Ayat al kursi and receive maximum profit from it.
Ayat al Kursi in the Holy Quran
Our holy Quran is filled with treasures that Allah opens up to its reciter and memorizer. One such amazing part of the Holy Quran is the chapter (Surah) 2- Surah Al-Baqarah, The Cow. And Ayat al-Kursi is the 255th Ayah or the verse of this magnificent Surah. Referred as the Verse of Throne, this ayah can be read in the 3rd juz or para. This Ayah talks about Allah SWT and his magnificence. It also says about the Kursi or Throne of Allah SWT that extends over heavens and the earth.
Ayat Al Kursi in Arabic
Ayat al Kursi in Arabic:
اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Ayat al Kursi English transliteration:
Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Haiyul-Qaiyum La ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm, lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-‘ard Man dhal-ladhi yashfa’u ‘indahu illa bi-idhnihi Ya’lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi shai’im-min ‘ilmihi illa bima sha’a Wasi’a kursiyuhus-samawati wal ard, wa la ya’uduhu hifdhuhuma Wa Huwal ‘Aliyul-Adheem
Ayat al Kursi translation in English:
“Allah! There is no god but He – the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they encompass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory).”
[Surah al-Baqarah 2: 255]
Ayat al Kursi in the Hadiths
There are many hadiths that tell us about the importance of Ayat al Kursi. Ayat al Kursi is not only a great way of protection but it also makes us closer to paradise.
- Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi:
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ubayy bin Ka`b said that the Prophet asked him about the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah, and `Ubayy answered, “Allah and His Messenger know better.”
When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) repeated his question several times,`Ubayy said, “Ayat Al-Kursi.”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) commented, “Congratulations for having knowledge, O Abu Al-Mundhir! By He in Whose Hand is my soul! This Ayah has a tongue and two lips with which she praises the King (Allah) next to the leg of the Throne.” (Tafsir Imam Ibn Katheer)
#Another Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi is:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud:
“Allah has not created in the heavens nor in the earth what is more magnificent than Ayat Al-Kursi.” Sufyan said: “Because Ayat Al-Kursi is the Speech of Allah, and Allah’s Speech is greater than Allah’s creation of the heavens and the earth.” Jami at Tirmidhi 2884
- Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi after obligatory prayers.
Ali (RA) said:
“I heard the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) saying while on his pulpit:
‘Whoever reads Aayat Al Kursi, (Quran 2:255), after each obligatory prayer, there is nothing which prevents him from entering Paradise except death, and it is only a righteous and pious worshiper who would persist in reciting it regularly.”
[Al-Bayhaqi]
#Another Hadith with same context is:
Abu Umaamah (RA) narrated that:
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“Whoever reads “Ayat Al Kursi” [Qur’an 2:255], after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death (i.e. that he is still alive).”
(An-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Hibbaan – Sahih)
- Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi in fulfilling one’s need.
Abu Umamah (ra) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that the ismullahi al- a’dham (The Greatest Name of Allah), through which Allah assuredly fulfills people’s needs, is contained in three surahs in the Qur’an: al-Baqarah, Al Imran and Taha.
Abu Umamah (ra) says that when he searched for the ismullahi al- a’dham, he found it to be in Ayat al kursi (2:255); and in Surah Al-’Imran (3:2); and in Surah Taha (20:111).
[al-Hakim, ibn Majah, at-Tabarani, at-Tahawi, and others]
- Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi in protection as well as safeguarding the reciter against Shayateen.
Abu Hurairah reports:
“Whenever you go to bed, recite “Ayat al Kursi”– ‘Allaahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal-Hayyul Qayyuum’ till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. ”
(Bukhari Shareef, Hadith No. 505)
- Hadith showing the importance of Ayat al Kursi in increasing memory
Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“These things increase one’s memory: sweets, the meat of an animal which is slaughtered in Islamic manner near the neck, Lentils, cold bread and recitation of Ayat Al Kursi.”
Benefits of Reciting Ayat al Kursi
`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites a letter of the Book of Allah will be credited with a good deed and a good deed is multiplied into ten. I do not say that [the word:] “Alif Lam Meem” is [counted as] one letter. Rather, Alif is one letter, Lam is one letter and Meem is one letter” (At-Tirmidhi)
- Ayat al Kursi makes us closer to Jannah. The hadiths mentioning the importance of reciting Ayat al Kursi after obligatory prayers are proof.
- It keeps us and our homes safeguarded from calamities, difficulties, and most importantly keeps us away from Satan.
- It helps us in boosting our Imaan by glorifying Allah SWT and also makes us closer to The Almighty.
- It is one of the easiest ways to get our needs fulfilled.
- Reciting Ayat al Kursi at night makes the reciter worthy of unimaginable rewards and benefits.
Ali (Radiahallahu Anhu) narrates, “I cannot understand how a person, who is a Muslim, and owner of reason (intellect) can spend the night without reading Ayat Al Kursi. If you knew the benefits of it, then you will never discard it under any condition”. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) stated,” I have been given Aayat Al Kursi from the treasures under the Arsh of Allah, and it was not given to anyone before me”
- Reciting Ayat al Kursi and also teaching it to children protect one’s house and also the houses surrounding it.
‘Ibne Masood (R.A) says that:
A person requested Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to teach him something that will benefit him. “ The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Recite Ayat al Kursi; it will protect you, your children, home and even houses surrounding your houses.””
- Allah SWT appoints a guardian for the one who recites Ayat al Kursi during night.
Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “By reciting it (Ayat al Kursi), there will be a guardian appointed over you from Allah who will protect you during the night, and Satan will not be able to come near you until morning.” (Al Bukhari)
When to recite Ayat al Kursi
There are many hadiths mentioning about the time when reciting Ayat al Kursi can bring special benefit to its reciter. However, we must not forget that Ayat al Kursi is also a part of the Quran so we can recite it anytime.
Ayat al Kursi can be recited:
- After the obligatory prayers
- After waking up and before sleeping
- With our daily Dhikr and Azkar
- At the time of difficulty, calamity, or fear
- While entering or leaving the house
- Anytime to gain hassanat and rewards from Allah SWT.
Tips to memorize Ayat Al Kursi
- Make strong Niyyah or intention to learn the Ayat Al Kursi.
- Dedicate a portion of time to learn Ayat al Kursi. You can utilize time after Fajr and Isha to learn it.
- Break it into ten equal parts and learn one or two parts each day, according to your convenience.
- Do not forget to revise it each day.
- Also, see and recite the Ayat al Kursi after each obligatory prayer even when you are in the process of learning it.
FAQs
Question1: What is meant by Ayat al Kursi?
Answer1: Ayat al Kursi literally means Verse of the Throne. It tells about the Might and Magnificence of Allah and His Throne.
Question2: How many times should one recite Ayat al Kursi to gain maximum benefit from it?
Anaswer2: No authentic hadith states any specific numbers. You can recite it once or as many times as you want.
Question3: Is it beneficial to recite Ayat al Kursi before the obligatory prayers?
Answer3: Ayat al Kursi is a part of the Holy Quran. So even though no hadith mentions specifies its recitation before the obligatory prayers, but it does make the reciter earn rewards.
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