Ayatul Kursi: Recitation, English Meaning and Virtues

About Ayatul Kursi

Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah and is regarded as the most virtuous verse in the Quran. It takes its name from the word "kursi" that appears within it, meaning "throne, sovereignty, knowledge, power".

This verse is one of the most comprehensive expressions of tawhid — the belief in the oneness of God, the cornerstone of Islamic creed.

Ayatul Kursi in Arabic

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ 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

Bismillāhi'r-raḥmāni'r-raḥīm.

Allāhu lā ilāha illā huwa'l-ḥayyu'l-qayyūm. Lā ta'ḫuḏuhū sinatun wa lā nawm. Lahū mā fi's-samāwāti wa mā fi'l-arḍ. Man ḏā'llaḏī yašfaʿu ʿindahū illā bi-iḏnih. Yaʿlamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā ḫalfahum. Wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi-šay'in min ʿilmihī illā bimā šā'. Wasiʿa kursiyyuhu's-samāwāti wa'l-arḍ. Wa lā ya'ūduhū ḥifẓuhumā. Wa huwa'l-ʿaliyyu'l-ʿaẓīm.

English Meaning

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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 lies before them and what lies behind them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

— Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 255

The Meaning, Phrase by Phrase

• "There is no deity except Him" — the declaration of absolute oneness.
• "The Ever-Living, the Sustainer" — He is alive without beginning or end, and everything else depends on Him for its existence.
• "Neither drowsiness nor sleep" — nothing diminishes His attention or care.
• "To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth" — absolute ownership.
• "Who can intercede except by His permission" — no authority exists independently of His will.
• "They encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills" — human knowledge is only what He grants.
• "His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth" — the reach of His sovereignty.
• "He is the Most High, the Most Great" — the closing affirmation of His majesty.

Virtues of Ayatul Kursi

1. The greatest verse in the Quran: The Prophet asked Ubayy ibn Ka'b which verse of the Book of Allah was the greatest, and when he answered "Ayatul Kursi", the Prophet affirmed it.

2. After every obligatory prayer:

"Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing stands between him and Paradise except death."

3. Protection before sleeping: It is reported that whoever recites it before sleeping remains under Allah's protection until morning.

When to Recite Ayatul Kursi

Ayatul Kursi may be recited at any time. It is especially recommended:

• After each of the five daily prayers
• Before sleeping
• When leaving the house
• In times of distress or fear
• On Fridays and blessed nights

Tips for Memorising It

The verse is long, so it is easier to learn in stages:

1. Split it into the short phrases shown in the transliteration above.
2. Learn one phrase at a time, repeating it until it is secure before moving on.
3. Listen to a recitation alongside reading, so the rhythm supports the memory.
4. Recite what you have learned in your daily prayers — regular use fixes it far better than repetition alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ayatul Kursi have to be recited in Arabic?

The verse itself is recited in Arabic. Reading a translation is valuable for understanding but is not a substitute for the recitation.

Can it be recited without ablution?

Reciting from memory without ablution is permissible. For touching the Arabic text of the Quran directly, the majority of scholars require ablution.

Read Ayatul Kursi in the Nurlu App

In the Nurlu app you will find Ayatul Kursi with:

• the original Arabic text
• transliteration
• audio recitation options
• reminders after prayer times

all free of charge.