Ayatul Kursi — Arabic Text & Translations
Ayatul Kursi (Verse of the Throne) is Verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Holy Quran. It is unanimously considered the greatest verse in the Quran because it explicitly details the absolute oneness, perfect attributes, infinite knowledge, and supreme authority of Allah.
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
Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal Haiyul Qaiyoom; laa taakhuzuhoo sinatunw wa laa nawm; lahoo maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man zal lazee yashfa’u indahooo illaa bi-iznih; ya’lamu maa baina aideehim wa maa khalfahum; wa laa yuheetoona bishai’im min ‘ilmihee illaa bimaa shaaa’; wasi’a Kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal arda wa laa Ya’ooduhoo hifzuhumaa; wa Huwal Aliyyul ‘Azeem.
Ayatul Kursi is the most powerful verse for seeking divine protection and establishing an unbreakable connection with the Creator.
Read Ayatul Kursi in Different Languages
Ayatul Kursi Translations
English Translation
“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 is [presently] 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.”
Urdu Translation
“اللہ، اس کے سوا کوئی عبادت کے لائق نہیں، وہ ہمیشہ زندہ رہنے والا ہے، سب کو قائم رکھنے والا ہے۔ نہ اسے اونگھ آتی ہے نہ نیند۔ جو کچھ آسمانوں میں ہے اور جو کچھ زمین میں ہے سب اسی کا ہے۔ کون ہے جو اس کی اجازت کے بغیر اس کے سامنے سفارش کر سکے؟ وہ جانتا ہے جو ان کے آگے ہے اور جو ان کے پیچھے ہے، اور وہ اس کے علم میں سے کسی چیز کا احاطہ نہیں کر سکتے مگر جتنا وہ چاہے۔ اس کی کرسی آسمانوں اور زمین پر محیط ہے، اور ان دونوں کی حفاظت اسے نہیں تھکاتی۔ اور وہ سب سے بلند، سب سے عظیم ہے۔”
Hindi Translation
“अल्लाह, उसके सिवा कोई इबादत के लायक नहीं, वह हमेशा ज़िंदा रहने वाला है, सब को कायम रखने वाला है। न उसे ऊँघ आती है न नींद। जो कुछ आसमानों में है और जो कुछ ज़मीन में है सब उसी का है। कौन है जो उसकी इजाज़त के बिना उसके सामने सिफ़ारिश कर सके? वह जानता है जो उनके आगे है और जो उनके पीछे है, और वह उसके इल्म में से किसी चीज़ का अहाता नहीं कर सकते मगर जितना वह चाहे। उसकी कुर्सी आसमानों और ज़मीन पर मुहीत है, और इन दोनों की हिफ़ाज़त उसे नहीं थकाती। और वह सबसे बुलंद, सबसे अज़ीम है।”
Bangla Translation
“আল্লাহ, তিনি ব্যতীত অন্য কোনো উপাস্য নেই, তিনি চিরঞ্জীব, সর্বসত্তার ধারক। তাঁকে তন্দ্রাও স্পর্শ করতে পারে না এবং নিদ্রাও নয়। আসমান ও যমীনে যা কিছু আছে, সবই তাঁর। কে সে, যে তাঁর অনুমতি ব্যতীত তাঁর কাছে সুপারিশ করবে? তাদের সামনে ও পিছনে যা কিছু আছে, তা তিনি জানেন। আর তাঁর ইচ্ছার বাইরে তাঁর জ্ঞানের কোন কিছুই তারা আয়ত্ত করতে পারে না। তাঁর কুরসী আসমান ও যমীন ব্যাপী বিস্তৃত এবং এগুলোর রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ তাঁকে ক্লান্ত করে না। তিনি সর্বোচ্চ, সর্বমহান।”
Roman Transliteration
Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa Huwal Haiyul Qaiyoom; laa taakhuzuhoo sinatunw wa laa nawm; lahoo maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man zal lazee yashfa’u indahooo illaa bi-iznih; ya’lamu maa baina aideehim wa maa khalfahum; wa laa yuheetoona bishai’im min ‘ilmihee illaa bimaa shaaa’; wasi’a Kursiyyuhus samaawaati wal arda wa laa Ya’ooduhoo hifzuhumaa; wa Huwal Aliyyul ‘Azeem.
The Meaning and Tafsir of Verse 255
Why is Ayatul Kursi so important? Ayatul Kursi is critically important because it encapsulates the entire foundation of Islamic theology (Tawheed) in a single verse. It consists of ten distinct sentences, each affirming a perfect attribute of Allah, emphasizing that He alone sustains the universe without relying on anyone or experiencing fatigue.
What Does “Kursi” Mean?
In the Arabic language, “Kursi” literally translates to a footstool. In Islamic theology, it represents Allah’s immense dominion, infinite knowledge, and absolute authority. According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir, the Kursi is a physical creation so massive that it encompasses all the heavens and the earth.
The Difference Between the Kursi and the Arsh
A common theological question is the difference between the Kursi (Footstool) and the Arsh (Throne). Authentic Islamic teachings clarify that the Arsh is vastly larger than the Kursi. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated that the seven heavens compared to the Kursi are like a small ring thrown into a massive desert, and the Kursi compared to the Arsh is exactly like that same ring in the desert.
Historical Context of Revelation
Ayatul Kursi was revealed in the city of Madinah as part of Surah Al-Baqarah. It is widely noted by scholars of Tafsir for its profound majesty and the immediate spiritual weight it carried upon its revelation, firmly establishing the absolute sovereignty and oneness of Allah.
Reflection Prompt
When reciting Verse 255, reflect on the unimaginable size of the Kursi. Pondering this vastness naturally instills profound humility and reminds the believer of their absolute reliance on the Creator who sustains the universe without sleep.
The Virtues and Benefits of Ayatul Kursi
What are the main benefits of Ayatul Kursi? The primary benefits of reciting Ayatul Kursi are absolute divine protection from physical and spiritual harm, safeguarding from devils during sleep, and the guarantee of entering Jannah (Paradise) when recited after obligatory prayers.
Spiritual Protection (Ruqyah)
Verse 255 is a foundational component of Ruqyah (Islamic spiritual healing). It acts as an impenetrable spiritual fortress, shielding the reciter, their family, and their home from the whispers of Shaytan, the evil eye, and unseen harm.
The Guarantee of Paradise
In Islamic tradition, making a consistent habit of reciting Verse 255 secures salvation. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established that reciting this single verse immediately following every Fard (obligatory) prayer forms a direct link between the believer and Paradise.
Authentic Hadith References
The Greatest Verse in the Quran
“Ubayy ibn Ka’b (RA) reported that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked him which verse in the Book of Allah was the greatest. When Ubayy replied, ‘Ayatul Kursi,’ the Prophet ﷺ struck his chest gently and said, ‘May knowledge bring joy to you, O Abu al-Mundhir!'”
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 810Protection Before Sleeping
“Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that a devil advised him: ‘Whenever you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi… If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no devil will come near you until morning.’ The Prophet ﷺ affirmed this by stating: ‘He spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar.'”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2311Frequently Asked Questions
No, Ayatul Kursi is not a Surah (chapter). It is a single verse. It is specifically Verse 255 located within Surah Al-Baqarah, the second chapter of the Holy Quran.
Yes, reciting Ayatul Kursi before sleeping is a highly recommended prophetic tradition. According to Sahih al-Bukhari, doing so ensures that Allah appoints a guardian angel to protect the reciter, preventing any devil from approaching until morning.
Yes. While touching the physical Quran (Mushaf) is restricted during menstruation, women can recite Ayatul Kursi from memory for the purpose of daily Adhkar (remembrance) and spiritual protection.
While reading the English translation is highly rewarded for seeking knowledge and understanding, the specific spiritual protections and promised rewards (like Jannah after prayer) apply specifically to reciting the original Arabic words revealed by Allah.