Islamic prayer
Ayat al-Kursi (Qur'an 2:255)
Ayat al-Kursi, the Verse of the Throne, from Qur'an 2:255, in Arabic, in English letters and with its meaning.
- 1 verse
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Qur'an
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
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- 255
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa al‑Hayyu al‑Qayyumu. La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawmun. Lahu ma fi as‑samawati wa ma fi al‑ardi. Man dha alladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi'idhnihi. Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum. Wa la yuhituna bishay'in min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a. Wasi'a kursiyyuhu as‑samawati wa al‑arda. Wa la ya'uduhu hifzuhuma. Wa huwa al-'Aliyyu al-'Azim.
Allah! There is no deity save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous.
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When it is recited
Many Sunni Muslims recite Ayat al-Kursi after the obligatory prayers and before sleep. In the tradition, it is recited for protection and as a reminder of Allah's greatness. It may also be recited during personal remembrance and reflection.
Where it comes from
Ayat al-Kursi comes from Surah al-Baqarah in the Qur'an, at 2:255. Its name is commonly rendered as the Verse of the Throne. It describes Allah's everlasting life, complete knowledge and sovereignty over the heavens and the earth.
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Questions about Ayat al-Kursi (Qur'an 2:255)
How many verses are in Ayat al-Kursi?
Ayat al-Kursi is 1 verse from the Qur'an. It takes under a minute to recite, though the pace varies.
What does Ayat al-Kursi mean?
It affirms that Allah alone is worthy of worship and that neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. It speaks of His knowledge, authority and preservation of the heavens and the earth.
When is Ayat al-Kursi recited?
Many Sunni Muslims recite it after obligatory prayers and before going to sleep. It is also recited at other times as part of remembrance of Allah.
What language is Ayat al-Kursi in?
The original verse is in Arabic. The English letters help readers follow its pronunciation, while the meaning helps explain its message.
