Ayatul Kursi: Arabic, meaning and when to recite it

Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah. The Prophet ﷺ called it the greatest ayah in the Book of Allah.

What does Ayatul Kursi say?

"Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of 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 before them and what will be after them, and they encompass nothing 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." (Qur'an 2:255)

The ayah is entirely about Allah: His oneness, His life that never falters, His ownership, His knowledge, and His greatness. Nothing is asked for in it — it is pure declaration of who He is.

Why is it called the greatest ayah?

Ubayy ibn Ka'b reported that the Prophet ﷺ asked him which ayah in the Book of Allah was greatest. He answered: Ayatul Kursi. The Prophet ﷺ struck his chest and said, "May knowledge be pleasant for you, Abu al-Mundhir." (Sahih Muslim 810)

When should Ayatul Kursi be recited?

Two occasions are established in authentic reports:

• After every obligatory prayer. "Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing stands between him and entering Paradise except death." (Sunan an-Nasa'i, al-Sunan al-Kubra 9848; graded sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami' 6464)
• Before sleeping. Abu Hurayrah was told by a thief who turned out to be Shaytan: "When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi; a guardian from Allah will remain with you and no devil will come near you until morning." The Prophet ﷺ confirmed the advice was true. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311)

Is Ayatul Kursi a protection?

The hadith above describes a guardian appointed until morning for the one who recites it at bedtime. Protection here comes from Allah, not from the words as an object. It is not a charm to be worn or sold as such; it is a recitation done with understanding and reliance on Allah.

How do I memorise Ayatul Kursi?

Break it into its natural clauses — the declaration of tawhid, the negation of sleep, the ownership of the heavens and earth, intercession, His knowledge, His Kursi, and His greatness. Recite one clause per prayer for a week and you will have it. Reciting it after every fard prayer means five natural repetitions a day.

Where does Ayatul Kursi fit in the night?

Those who pray Tahajjud often close the night with Witr and then Ayatul Kursi and the last two ayat of al-Baqarah before returning to sleep. The night prayer and the adhkar of sleep were joined together in the Prophet's ﷺ practice, not treated as separate projects.