Ayat al-Kursi ("the Verse of the Throne") is verse 255 of surah Al-Baqara ("The Cow"), the second and longest surah of the Quran. It takes its name from the word kursiy ("Throne" or "Footstool") that appears in it, referring to the vastness of Allah's sovereignty over the heavens and the earth.
The text
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
"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 nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great." (Surah 2, verse 255)
Why is this verse special?
Ayat al-Kursi is described in authentic hadith (notably reported in Sahih Muslim) as the greatest verse in the Quran. It concentrates in a few lines major attributes of Allah: His oneness, His eternal life and self-sufficiency (Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum), His total knowledge of past and future, and the vastness of His sovereignty — "His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth" — with preserving creation costing Him no effort at all.
When is it recited?
Its recitation is reported in several authentic hadith at specific times: after each obligatory prayer, and before sleep, where it is described as a protection until morning. Many Muslims make it a daily habit, alone or alongside other dhikr formulas.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ayat al-Kursi found in the Quran?
Surah 2 (Al-Baqara), verse 255.
Why is Ayat al-Kursi called the greatest verse in the Quran?
Authentic hadith (notably in Sahih Muslim) describe it this way, due to the density of what it states about Allah's attributes.
When is Ayat al-Kursi recited?
Traditionally after each obligatory prayer and before sleep, according to authentic hadith.
