Let me explain this in more detail.
The Meaning of Ayat al-Kursi
The verse begins with the foundation of faith: *“Allah! There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence.”* This affirms tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and describes Him as Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyum (the Self-Subsisting, upon whom all creation depends). The verse then tells us that neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him—He is always aware and in control. It declares that everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him, and no one can intercede with Him except by His permission. He knows the past and the future, and His knowledge encompasses everything, while we only know what He wills. The verse culminates with the magnificent statement: *“His Kursi (Footstool) extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them, for He is the Most High, the Most Great.”* [Coran, Sourate Al-Baqara:255]
Why is it called Ayat al-Kursi?
The word *Kursi* refers to a footstool or seat. According to Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the Kursi is the resting place of Allah’s feet, while the ‘Arsh (the Throne) is so immense that no one can estimate its true size. [Source: Ibn ‘Abbas, reported in As-Sunnah and At-Tawheed] The Prophet ﷺ further explained that the Kursi, despite its vastness, is like an iron ring thrown into a desert when compared to the Throne. [Source: Hadith of Abu Dharr, reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah and Adh-Dhahabi] This shows us the infinite greatness of Allah’s creation and, above all, the greatness of the Creator Himself.
The Significance of Ayat al-Kursi
1. It is the greatest verse in the Quran. When the Prophet ﷺ asked Ubayy ibn Ka‘b which verse was the greatest, he replied with Ayat al-Kursi, and the Prophet ﷺ confirmed this, saying: *“May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu al-Mundhir!”* [Sahih Muslim 810]
2. It is a means of entering Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ said: *“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except that he dies.”* [Reported by An-Nasa’i in Al-Kubra, authentic] This is a tremendous reward for a simple act of remembrance.
3. It is a protection. Reciting it in the morning and evening, and before sleeping, is a shield against harm. The Prophet ﷺ also taught that reciting the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (which include Ayat al-Kursi’s context) at night is sufficient protection. [Sahih Bukhari 5008-5009, Sahih Muslim 807]
A Practical Advice for You
Make it a habit to recite Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer. It takes only a few seconds, yet it brings immense reward and protection. You can find the full text of the verse in the Quran section of your Al Muslim Plus application, and you can also set a daily reminder to recite it in the morning and evening. May Allah make us among those who recite it with sincerity and benefit from its blessings.