Ayatul Kursi: Arabic Text, Full Translation, Authentic Benefits & When to Recite It Every Day
Written by the Islam365 Editorial Team · 8 min read
Quick answer — what is Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي) is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah the 2nd chapter of the Holy Quran. It is known as the Verse of the Throne and is confirmed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Sahih Muslim 810 as the greatest verse in the entire Quran. Muslims recite it daily after every obligatory prayer, before sleeping, and as part of morning and evening adhkar for protection and closeness to Allah. Download the Islam365 app free on iOS and Android to read and listen to Ayatul Kursi with 9 world-renowned Qaris.
Of the 6,236 verses in the Holy Quran, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ identified one as the greatest of them all.
Not the longest. Not the most frequently revealed. The greatest.
That verse is Ayatul Kursi a single ayah that contains the most comprehensive description of Allah's attributes, sovereignty, and knowledge found anywhere in the Quran. Muslims around the world have recited it daily for over 1,400 years. Hundreds of millions know it by heart. And yet many Muslims who recite it every day have never studied what each phrase actually means.
This guide gives you everything the full Arabic text, transliteration, word-by-word translation, the three authenticated benefits from authentic Hadith, when to recite it, and how to memorise it using the Islam365 app, free on App Store and Google Play.
What Is Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi (Arabic: آية الكرسي) means "The Verse of the Throne." It is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the second and longest chapter of the Holy Quran. The word Kursi (كرسي) means throne or footstool in Arabic in this verse it refers to the vast dominion of Allah that extends over the heavens and the earth.
The verse was revealed in Madinah after the Hijra and is classified as a Madani ayah. It stands alone as a single verse that encompasses more of the attributes of Allah than any other single verse in the entire Quran. You can read Ayatul Kursiwith full Arabic text, transliteration, and translation in the free Islam365 app available on iPhone and Android.
The companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ asked him: "O Abu al-Mundhir, do you know which verse from the Book of Allah that you have is the greatest?" When Ubayy answered with the opening of Ayatul Kursi, the Prophet ﷺ struck him affectionately on the chest and said: "May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abul-Mundhir!"(Sahih Muslim 810)
Ayatul Kursi Full Arabic Text
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:
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard. Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnih. Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum. Wa la yuhituna bi shay'in min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a. Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ard. Wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma. Wa Huwal-'Aliyyul-'Adheem.
Translation:
"Allah there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the Sustainer of existence (Al-Qayyum). 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 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 (Al-Aliyy), the Most Great (Al-Adheem)."
Listen to Ayatul Kursi recited by 9 world-renowned Qaris in the free Islam365 app — download on iPhone or download on Android.
The Meaning of Ayatul Kursi Phrase by Phrase
Understanding what you are reciting transforms Ayatul Kursi from memorised words into a living conversation with Allah. Here is what each phrase means:
"Allah there is no deity except Him"
The verse opens by establishing the most fundamental truth in Islam Tawheed (the oneness of Allah). There is no god, no power, no authority worthy of worship except Allah alone. This is the foundation of every Muslim's faith and the first truth declared in the Islamic creed.
"The Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the Sustainer of existence (Al-Qayyum)"
Al-Hayy means the one whose life is eternal, without beginning or end. Al-Qayyum means the self-subsisting — He exists independently and sustains all of creation. Every breath you take, every heartbeat, every atom in existence is sustained by Al-Qayyum at every moment. Open the Islam365 app to read the complete Arabic text alongside this explanation — free on iOS and Android.
"Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep"
Allah does not need rest. He is never inattentive, never absent, never unaware. Unlike every created being including angels Allah requires no sleep. He is always watching, always present, always in full awareness of every moment in creation.
"To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth"
Absolute ownership. Every human being, every animal, every planet, every galaxy all of it belongs to Allah and exists only by His permission and will.
"Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?"
Even the greatest prophets, the noblest angels, and the most beloved of Allah's servants cannot intercede for anyone without His explicit permission. All intercession belongs to Allah alone.
"He knows what is before them and what will be after them"
Allah's knowledge is complete and absolute. The past, the present, the future everything known and unknown to creation is fully known to Him. Nothing is hidden.
"They encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills"
All human knowledge science, philosophy, history, every discovery ever made is an infinitesimally small fraction of what Allah knows, and only what He chose to reveal.
"His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth"
The Kursi the footstool of Allah encompasses the entire universe. Ibn Abbas (RA) said the seven heavens and the seven earths within the Kursi are like a ring thrown into a vast desert. You can reflect on this verse daily in the Islam365Quran section download free now.
"And their preservation tires Him not"
Maintaining every particle in the universe across all of time requires no effort from Allah whatsoever. It does not tire Him, burden Him, or diminish Him in any way.
"And He is the Most High (Al-Aliyy), the Most Great (Al-Adheem)"
The verse closes with two of the greatest names of Allah. Al-Aliyy above all creation, exalted beyond any comparison. Al-Adheem immeasurably great, beyond any human capacity to fully comprehend.
The 3 Authenticated Benefits of Ayatul Kursi
Every benefit below comes from an authentic (sahih) Hadith verified through Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, or authenticated by leading Hadith scholars.
Benefit 1 - It is the greatest verse of the Quran
The Prophet ﷺ himself declared Ayatul Kursi the greatest verse in the Book of Allah confirmed in multiple narrations with multiple companions.
"O Abu al-Mundhir, do you know which verse from the Book of Allah that you have is the greatest?" Ubayy answered: "Allahu la ilaha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum." The Prophet ﷺ struck him on the chest and said: "May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abul-Mundhir!"
(Sahih Muslim 810)
Benefit 2 - Protection before sleep: a guardian from Allah until morning
"When you go to bed, recite Ayatul Kursi then a guardian from Allah will stay with you, and no devil will come near you until morning."
The Prophet ﷺ said: "He spoke the truth, although he is a liar that was a devil."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2311)
Reciting Ayatul Kursi once before sleeping is what is established from this hadith. Find Ayatul Kursi in the Islam365 app under Quran → Surah Al-Baqarah → verse 255 — available offline, no internet needed. Download on App Store or Google Play.
Benefit 3 - After every obligatory prayer: a path to Paradise
"Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi immediately after every prescribed prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death."
(Narrated by Abu Umamah RA Sunan an-Nasa'i graded Sahih by Shaykh al-Albani in Silsilah as-Sahihah 972)
This is one of the most powerful daily habits a Muslim can build reciting Ayatul Kursi after each of the five daily prayers. It takes less than 30 seconds. Set your prayer times and Adhan reminders in the free Islam365 app so you never miss a prayer iPhone download · Android download.
When to Recite Ayatul Kursi
WhenWhat the narrations sayAfter every obligatory prayerSunan an-Nasa'i (Sahih) path to Paradise. The single most impactful daily habitBefore sleepingSahih al-Bukhari 2311 guardian from Allah appointed until morningMorning adhkarPart of the morning remembrance protection throughout the dayEvening adhkarPart of the evening remembrance protection through the nightWhen entering the homeDrives Shaytan away from the householdWhen leaving homeFor protection during travel and daily activitiesDuring hardship or fearBrings immediate spiritual calm and reminder of Allah's sovereignty
The Islam365 app includes Ayatul Kursi as part of the complete morning and evening adhkar collection one tap, fully offline, available free on App Store and Google Play.
How to Memorise Ayatul Kursi
Ayatul Kursi is a single verse — longer than most, but achievable for any Muslim within 1–2 weeks with the right approach.
Step 1 - Listen before you memorise. Open the Islam365 app, go to Quran, navigate to Surah Al-Baqarah verse 255, and listen to the recitation by your chosen Qari 3–5 times a day for the first 2–3 days without trying to memorise. Let your ear absorb the rhythm. Download Islam365 free on iPhone or Android to get started.
Step 2 - Learn the meaning first. Read the phrase-by-phrase translation in this article. Muslims who understand what they are reciting memorise the Arabic 3–4 times faster than those who memorise without meaning. The Islam365 app displays Arabic text, transliteration, and translation simultaneously.
Step 3 - Break it into 10 phrases. Ayatul Kursi contains 10 natural phrases separated by the pause marks (waqf) in the Arabic text. Memorise one phrase at a time, repeating each 10 times before moving to the next.
Step 4 - Practise during your prayers. After every obligatory prayer exactly when the hadith recommends reciting Ayatul Kursi recite whatever you have memorised. The Islam365 prayer tracker helps you stay consistent with all 5 daily prayers.
Step 5 - Use it before sleep every night. Even during memorisation, attempt to recite whatever you know of Ayatul Kursi before sleeping. Within 1–2 weeks you will have the complete verse.
The Islam365 app displays Ayatul Kursi with full Arabic text, transliteration, and translation simultaneously with audio by 9 world-renowned Qaris including Mishari Alafasy and Abdur Rahman Sudais, available for offline download. Get it free on App Store · Get it free on Google Play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Ayatul Kursi in English?
Ayatul Kursi means "The Verse of the Throne." The word Kursi (كرسي) in Arabic means throne or footstool. The verse describes Allah's absolute sovereignty His eternal life, His knowledge of all things, His ownership of the heavens and the earth, and His Kursi which extends over all of creation. Read it with Arabic text and transliteration in the free Islam365 app iOS · Android.
How many times should I recite Ayatul Kursi before sleeping?
Once according to the authenticated narration in Sahih al-Bukhari 2311. The hadith establishes that reciting it one time before sleep brings a guardian from Allah until morning. Additional fixed counts such as 3, 7, or 100 times are not authentically narrated from the Prophet ﷺ. Find Ayatul Kursi in the Islam365 adhkar section download free.
Is reciting Ayatul Kursi after every prayer obligatory?
No it is a highly recommended Sunnah (mustahabb), not an obligation (fard). However, given the extraordinary reward stated in the hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i that nothing prevents the reciter from Paradise except death it is one of the most beneficial habits a Muslim can establish. Track your prayers with the Islam365 prayer tracker free on App Store and Google Play.
Can I recite Ayatul Kursi without wudu?
Yes reciting from memory does not require wudu. The prohibition on touching the Quran without wudu refers to the physical Mushaf. Reciting from memory or listening to recitation is permitted in all states. For recitation during Salah, wudu is required because it is a condition of the prayer itself. Listen to Ayatul Kursi anytime in the Islam365 app iPhone · Android.
Is Ayatul Kursi in Surah Baqarah?
Yes. Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah the second and longest chapter of the Holy Quran. Navigate directly to it in the Islam365 app by going to Quran → Surah Al-Baqarah → verse 255. Download Islam365 free on App Store or Google Play.
What are the Names of Allah mentioned in Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi contains five of the greatest Names of Allah: Allah (the proper name), Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living), Al-Qayyum (The Self-Sustaining), Al-Aliyy (The Most High), and Al-Adheem (The Most Great). Ibn Kathir notes these Names together cover Allah's divinity, eternal life, self-subsistence, transcendence, and immeasurable greatness making Ayatul Kursi the most theologically complete single verse in the Quran. Read the full Quran with translation in the free Islam365 app iOS · Android.
Conclusion
Ayatul Kursi is not the greatest verse of the Quran by accident. In a single ayah, it covers the oneness of Allah, His eternal and self-sustaining nature, His absolute knowledge, His total ownership of all creation, the conditions of intercession, and His supreme majesty. No other verse in the Quran covers as much in so few words.
Recite it after every obligatory prayer 5 times a day, under 30 seconds each time. Recite it once before sleeping. Teach it to your children as the first full verse they memorise after Al-Fatiha.
The Prophet ﷺ pointed to one verse when asked which was the greatest. It is this one.
Use the Islam365 app to read Ayatul Kursi every day in Arabic, with transliteration and translation in 9+ languages, recited by 9 world-renowned Qaris, fully offline. Free forever. Download now on iPhone or Android.
Read Ayatul Kursi in Islam365 Free, Offline, Ad-Free
The Islam365 app includes the complete Quran with Ayatul Kursi and all of Surah Al-Baqarah in full Arabic text, transliteration, and translation in 9+ languages. Listen to Ayatul Kursi recited by 9 world-renowned Qaris including Mishari Alafasy, Abdur Rahman Sudais, and AbdulBaset AbdulSamad. Download for offline access. The morning and evening adhkar in Islam365 also include Ayatul Kursi as part of the complete daily remembrance so you never miss it. Completely free, no ads, no signup required.
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