The Throne Verse (Arabic: آيَة ٱلْكُرْسِيّ, romanized: Ayāh al-Kursī[a]) is the 255th verse of the second chapter of the Quran, al-Baqara 2:255. In this verse, God introduces Himself to mankind and says nothing and nobody is comparable to God.[2][3]
This is one of the well-known verses of the Quran and is widely memorised and displayed in the Islamic faith.[4] It is said (ḥadīṯ) that reciting this verse wards off devils (šayāṭīn)[5] and fiends (ʿafārīt).[6]
Al-Suyuti narrates that a man from humanity and a man from the jinn met. Whereupon, as means of reward for defeating the jinn in a wrestling match, the jinn teaches a Quranic verses that if recited, no devil (šayṭān) will enter the man's house with him, which is the "Throne Verse".[6]
Due to the association with protection, it is believed to shield against the evil eye.[7]
Text and translations
Arabic
English
255 God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Self Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous.[8]
Interpretation and tradition
Ayat al-Kursi is regarded as the greatest verse of Quran according to the hadith.[9][10] The verse is regarded as one of the most powerful in the Quran because when it is recited, the greatness of God is believed to be confirmed. The person who recites this ayat morning and evening will be under protection of God from the evil of the jinn and the shayatin (devils); this is also known as the daily adkhar.[11]
It is used in exorcism, to cure and protect from jinn and shayatin (devils).[12] Because the Throne Verse is believed to grant spiritual and physical protection, it is often recited by Muslims before setting out on a journey and before going to sleep.[13][4][9][14] Reciting the verse after every prayer is believed to grant quick entry to paradise without any delay.[15][16]
It is the "seat" of God's power, but without God sitting on it with bones, since bones and body belong to the created things.[17]
Gallery
Most of the Throne verse on the back of a standing stone from 17th-century India
Islamic calligraphy of Throne Verse
See also
Notes
References
External links
