Ayatul Kursi, or the Verse of the Throne, is one of the most powerful and blessed verses in the entire Quran. But what makes this verse so special? And why did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) emphasize its importance? Let’s dive into the virtues of Ayatul Kursi through the lens of authentic hadith.
The Greatest Verse in the Quran
In a narration found in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet ﷺ went to Ubayy ibn Ka’b, one of the most knowledgeable Companions regarding the Quran, and asked him: “O Ubayy, which is the greatest verse in the Quran?”
Ubayy, out of modesty, replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
The Prophet ﷺ insisted: “O Ubayy, what is the greatest verse in the Quran?”
When Ubayy realized the Prophet ﷺ wanted a direct answer, he said: “Ayatul Kursi.”
The Prophet ﷺ, pleased with his response, pushed him gently as a sign of affection and said: “Knowledge will always be with you.”
This hadith clearly establishes Ayatul Kursi as the greatest verse in the Noble Quran, as affirmed by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Protection from Shaytan
In another hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, we learn of the immense protection offered by Ayatul Kursi. During Ramadan, Abu Hurairah was guarding the charity funds collected by the Prophet ﷺ. One night, a visitor came to steal from the funds, but Abu Hurairah caught him. The visitor begged for mercy, promising never to return.
The next night, the same visitor returned, and Abu Hurairah caught him again. This time, the visitor offered to teach Abu Hurairah something valuable in exchange for his freedom. He said: “When you go to sleep, recite Ayatul Kursi. As long as you recite it at night, Allah will send a guardian to protect you from any harm until the morning.”
In the morning, the Prophet ﷺ informed Abu Hurairah that the visitor was none other than Shaytan (Satan) himself. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed the truth in the visitor’s statement, saying: “If you recite Ayatul Kursi when you go to bed, no jinni or any other evil force can harm you until the morning, and Allah will appoint a guardian for you.”
Recitation and Rewards
The Prophet ﷺ also encouraged the recitation of Ayatul Kursi at various times. In one hadith, he said: “Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every prayer, the only thing preventing him from entering Paradise is death.”
In another narration, the Prophet recommended reciting Ayatul Kursi in the morning and evening.
The Essence of Ayatul Kursi
But what makes Ayatul Kursi so special? This verse, spanning just a third of a page, encapsulates the essence of Allah’s Names and Attributes. It mentions more than 20 of Allah’s Beautiful Names, such as Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living), Al-Qayyum (The Self-Sustaining), Al-‘Aliy (The Most High), and Al-‘Adheem (The Most Great).
Ayatul Kursi affirms Allah’s absolute sovereignty over all creation, His encompassing knowledge of the seen and unseen, and His Greatness beyond comprehension. It is a profound declaration of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) and a reminder of our utter dependence on Him.
By understanding and internalizing the meanings of Ayatul Kursi, we can strengthen our faith, seek refuge in Allah’s protection, and draw closer to Him through the remembrance of His Perfect Names and Attributes.
So let us make it a habit to recite Ayatul Kursi regularly, in accordance with the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him), and reap the immense blessings and rewards promised to those who adhere to this great verse of the Quran.