What are the virtues of Ayat al-Kursi?

Ayat al-Kursi is considered the greatest verse of the Qur'an. According to a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Everything has a pinnacle. The pinnacle of the Qur'an is Surah al-Baqarah, and in it is the greatest verse of the Qur'an, which is Ayat al-Kursi" (Tirmidhi). This verse has many virtues. Let us look at some hadiths that describe its merits:

1. When Ayat al-Kursi is recited in a house, the Shaytan flees from it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "In Surah al-Baqarah is the greatest verse of the Qur'an. Whoever recites it in his house, the Shaytan will flee from that place" (Hakim).

2. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer is a means to enter Paradise and to be under Allah's protection until the next prayer. In a hadith narrated by Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing stands between him and Paradise except death." In another hadith: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer will be under Allah's protection until the next obligatory prayer."

3. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi protects a person from various forms of magic, the evil eye, and harm from jinn. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi in the morning will be under Allah's protection until the evening, and whoever recites it in the evening will be under Allah's protection until morning" (Nasa'i).

4. Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping protects the person and his children from Shaytan until morning. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping will be protected by Allah's guardian from Shaytan until morning."

5. It is a means for increasing sustenance and blessings. In a hadith narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), a man complained to the Prophet (ﷺ) about a lack of blessings in his home. The Messenger of Allah said: "Do you not recite Ayat al-Kursi? Whatever food Ayat al-Kursi is recited over, Allah will bless it."

6. In times of hardship, reciting Ayat al-Kursi and the last verses of Surah al-Baqarah is a means for Allah's help. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi and the last verses of Surah al-Baqarah during hardship, Allah will help him." Ayat al-Kursi is also recited in the morning and evening adhkar and in ruqyah (spiritual healing).

In summary, whoever memorizes and regularly recites this verse will be under Allah's protection. This verse protects from various evils, disasters, calamities, and sorrow, brings blessings in sustenance, and drives away Shaytan. Reciting it also brings great reward.

Medet Kurmashuly,

"Iman" magazine, No. 4, 2024