Understanding Ayatul Kursi — Word by Word
Ayatul Kursi (Quran 2:255) is often called the greatest verse of the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ confirmed this in a well-known hadith narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka'b. But what makes this single verse so powerful?
The Text and Its Meaning
Ayatul Kursi appears in Surah Al-Baqarah, the longest chapter of the Quran. In Arabic, it begins with اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ — "Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence."
The verse systematically establishes Allah's attributes: His eternal life, His sustaining power over all creation, the vastness of His knowledge, and the extent of His dominion — His Kursi (Throne) extends over the heavens and the earth.
Key Phrases Explained
- Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum (الحي القيوم) — The Ever-Living, The Self-Sustaining. These are two of Allah's greatest names, appearing together only three times in the Quran.
- "Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep" — A declaration that Allah's watchfulness over creation is unbroken and constant.
- "Who can intercede with Him except by His permission?" — Establishes that no being has autonomous power; all authority returns to Allah.
- "His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth" — The Kursi is described by scholars as being greater than the heavens and the earth combined, yet it is itself beneath the Arsh (Throne).
When to Recite Ayatul Kursi
The Prophet ﷺ and his companions recommended reciting it:
- After every obligatory prayer
- Before sleeping at night
- As a morning and evening dhikr
- When entering and leaving the home
Read It on Furqanly
You can read Ayatul Kursi with full word-by-word translation, Arabic text, and scholarly Tafseer on Furqanly. Navigate to Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 255 to begin your study.