Let me explain this in more detail.
What is Ayat al-Kursi?
Ayat al-Kursi is the verse that begins with:
*"Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal..."*
It is called "Ayat al-Kursi" because it mentions the *Kursi* (the Footstool) of Allah, which is described as extending over the heavens and the earth. This verse is unique because it combines profound theological truths about Allah’s nature—His oneness, His eternal life, His knowledge, His power, and His majesty—in just a few lines.
Why is it so significant?
1. It is the greatest verse in the Quran.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him): *"O Abu al-Mundhir! Do you know which verse of Allah's Book that you have is the greatest?"* Ubayy replied: *"Allah and His Messenger know best."* The Prophet repeated the question, and Ubayy answered: *"{Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining...}"* The Prophet then struck him on the chest and said: *"May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu al-Mundhir!"* [Sahih Muslim 810] — This shows the immense rank of this verse.
2. It is a protection and a key to Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: *"Whoever recites the Verse of the Kursi right after each obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except that he dies."* [Narrated by An-Nasa'i in Al-Kubra, authentic] — This means that if a person makes this a habit, they are promised Paradise; the only "delay" is their death itself.
3. It affirms Allah’s greatness and His creation.
In this verse, Allah says: *"His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them, for He is the Most High, the Supreme."* [Quran 2:255] — The *Kursi* (Footstool) is a magnificent creation of Allah, but compared to the *Arsh* (Throne), it is like *"an iron ring thrown in a desert on earth"* [Hadith narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah and Adh-Dhahabi, authentic]. This shows how vast Allah’s creation is, and how infinitely greater Allah Himself is.
4. It reminds us of Allah’s perfect attributes.
The verse mentions that Allah is *Al-Hayy* (The Ever-Living) and *Al-Qayyum* (The Self-Subsisting, the One who sustains all). It tells us that no slumber or sleep overtakes Him, that nothing happens without His permission, and that His knowledge encompasses everything. This instills in the believer a deep sense of reliance on Allah alone.
A practical advice for you:
Make it a daily habit to recite Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer. You can find the full verse in the Quran section of your Al Muslim Plus application. Also, the Prophet ﷺ recommended reciting it before sleeping, as it is a protection from harm throughout the night. May Allah make us among those who cherish His Book and act upon it.