Seerat Shahina
November, 28, 2020
Importance and Virtues of Ayat-al Kursi.
The Translation of Ayat-al Kursi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Allah – there is no God 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. 2:255
This verse is called Ayat al-Kursi due to the word “Kursi” which appears in this verse. This verse is an embodiment of divine grandeur and majesty. This verse proclaims the one-ness of Allah and His enormous attributes. Each part of this verse is an expression of Allah's greatness, glory, and power. It is profound in meaning and has tremendous benefits.
(References: The Holy Quran 3:18, 4:48, 20:6, 30:25, 50: 38, 21:28, 20:10,72:26-27)
As narrated by Asmaa Bint Yazid (RA) the Messanger of Allah (PBUH) said; This ayah, Ayatul Kursi, embodies the asmal-a’zam, (Ahmad; Abu Daud; Tirmidhi; Ibn Majah).
The attributes of Allah are unique and different from anything. He lives, but He is self-subsisting and eternal. He does not depend upon any being or anything and is not limited by time and space. The attribute of Hayyul Qayyum includes not only the idea of ever-lasting “One” and "Self-subsisting" but also the idea of "Keeping up and maintaining all life.” Allah has no need for rest or sleep. His activity is perfect and self-sufficient. He is Absolute, while all are dependent.
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The Arabic word Kursi in this verse is interpreted differently. Some scholars interpret this as “His Seat of Power”. While others take it to mean Throne mentioned in Verses 10:3, 85:15. Some translated this as “His Knowledge”; Razi inclines to the view that this word denotes God`s majesty and incredible, eternal glory.
Ibn Kathir has cited a narration by Abu Dharr Ghifaari who asked the Prophet about the nature of Kursi and shape of the Kursi. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “By the Being in whose possession is my soul as compared with the Kursi the seven heavens and earth are no more than a finger-ring thrown on a big plane.”
Ibn Jareer (RA) has narrated a tradition that the seven heavens beneath the Kursi are like seven drachms thrown in a big case. Saddi (RA) says the heavens and earth are in the cavity of the Kursi and The Kursi is parallel to the 'Arsh. According to Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA), kursi is a figurative expression for knowledge. Some people take it for the footstool.
Some scholars are of the opinion that no one knows the true meaning of this word except Allah Most High. the Most Great Divine.
It appears in the Musnad of Ahmad that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said that “this verse is the most meritorious of all”.
Importance of Ayatal Kursi in Muslims' Life.
Muslims around the whole world have a strong belief that the Holy Quran has an answer to every issue that human being face. On the basis and strength of the belief, social scientists agree that the belief in God is an inward demand of human nature. One of the most highlighted ayahs of the Holy Quran is Ayat-al Kursi. Complete faith in Ayat-al Kursi depends upon the belief that all affairs, matters, and decisions and their control, command, and result and return belong only to Allah Almighty Alone. Muslims use this verse widely because of the potentials to provide physical and spiritual protection, and is commonly recited before sleep, particularly when facing fear, before embarking on a long journey, before undertaking life changing decisions or protection from shaytan and jinn
“Throne Verse is believed to grant spiritual or physical protection”. (Quran Tafseer Ibn Kathir)
Qur’an is a social, psychological, and spiritual guide for mankind. The testimony of faith means that we worship no one but Allah and that Muhammad, mercy of the worlds, (PBUH) is His Messenger and true model for humans to be followed in all his sayings, doings, and practices. The benefits of Ayatal Kursi have been mentioned in numerous Ahadith as well as reported by scholars and saints of earliest centuries of Islam. The few benefits of Ayatal Kursi are as under:
o “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to recite it after every salah.” [Sahih Muslim]
o Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (R.A) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alaihi wasallam) said:
“Everything has a peak and the peak of the Qur’an is Surah al-Baqarah, it contains a verse (2:255) which is the leader of all the verses in the Qur’an.”
[Sunan-Tirmidhi]
o Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (R.A) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every Salat, the only barrier between him and paradise is death.”
[Sunan Nasa’i, Hadith: 9848, ibn Hibban in his Kitabus Salah; see Targhib, vol. 2 pg. 453]
o The person who recites this ayah, morning and evening, will be under protection of God from the evil of the jinn and the shayatin (demons);
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, ed (2018) The Study Quran. HarperCollins Publishers. p.110.
o Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud:
“ALLAH has not created in the heavens nor in the earth what is more magnificent than Ayatal-Kursi.”
Sufyan said: “Because Ayatal-Kursi is the Speech of ALLAH and ALLAH’s Speech is greater than ALLAH’s creation of the heavens and the earth.”
[Jami At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2884 - Grade: Saheeh, Darussalam]
The Ayatal Kursi is regarded as one of the most powerful verses of the Quran because upon recital, the greatness of Allah is confirmed. It is one of those verses that are memorized by almost all Muslims around the world, because of its virtues. It is one of the greatest all-embracing supplications; the worshiper addresses the Almighty, All-Powerful for His mercy and benevolence.