Qur’an 2:255 · The Greatest Verse · The Throne Verse

Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي) — Full Verse, Meaning, Audio & Benefits

Q: What is Ayatul Kursi?

Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah (Quran 2:255), the single verse the Prophet Muhammad called the greatest in the entire Quran. It is a complete declaration of Allah's oneness, life, sovereignty, knowledge, and might.

Q: Where is Ayatul Kursi in the Quran?

Surah al-Baqarah (chapter 2), verse 255. In Juz 3, Hizb 5. Revealed in Medina.

Q: What does Ayatul Kursi mean?

Ayah means verse or sign; Kursi literally means footstool. So Ayatul Kursi = The Verse of the Footstool. English often calls it The Throne Verse.

Q: How many words are in Ayatul Kursi?

Approximately 50 Arabic words. One of the longest single sentences in the Quran.

Q: Why is Ayatul Kursi called the greatest verse?

The Prophet gave it this title directly (Sahih Muslim 810). No other single verse combines so many of Allah's primary attributes in one sentence.

Q: What are the benefits of reciting Ayatul Kursi daily?

Direct path to Paradise if recited after every fard prayer (Nasai sahih), Allah's guard until morning if recited before sleep (Bukhari 2311 sahih), protection throughout the day, repelling the devils, 10 hasanat per letter.

Q: When should I recite Ayatul Kursi?

Five Sunnah times: after every fard salah, before sleep, in morning adhkar, in evening adhkar, when entering the home. The strongest is after each fard.

Q: Is reciting Ayatul Kursi 313 times authentic?

No. Specific numerical counts come from fabricated narrations and folk traditions. The authentic Sunnah is once after each fard, once before sleep, once morning and evening.

Q: How do I memorize Ayatul Kursi?

Classical 12-day method: Days 1-4 understand meaning via word-by-word, Days 5-8 drill sounds via repeat player, Days 9-12 write Arabic script.

Q: Where can I download Ayatul Kursi PDF?

Pre-made A4 PDF with Arabic + English is free to download. Custom PDF builder lets you pick language, size and tajweed options.

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30-Day Plan: Teaching Ayatul Kursi to Children

Parent’s week-by-week guide. Ages 4-14. 10 minutes a day. No pressure, no bribes.

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Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah — the single verse the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called the greatest in the entire Qur’an. Full Arabic text (Uthmani), English translation, MP3 audio from 15+ reciters, classical tafsir, authentic hadith benefits, and tools to help you memorize it.

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Edited by Zakir Mohammed — Lead editor, Ayatulkursi.org · Reverted Muslim from India
Verified against classical tafsir (Ibn Kathir, al-Tabari, al-Qurtubi) · All hadith sourced to sunnah.com · Last updated: 26 October 2026

2:255Qur’an verse

50Arabic words

#1Greatest verse

15+Reciters

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The Full Verse (Arabic)
Audio — Listen Now
English Translation
Transliteration (Roman)
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
What Does “Ayatul Kursi” Mean?
Where It Is in the Qur’an
Why the Prophet ﷺ Called It the Greatest Verse
12 Authentic Benefits (From Hadith)
When to Recite — The 5 Sunnah Times
How to Memorize It
Classical Tafsir (8 Scholars)
All Reciters (15+)
Downloads (PDF, Audio, Wallpaper)
In Your Language (Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, etc.)
Common Misconceptions
All Interactive Tools
Frequently Asked Questions

The Full Verse — Arabic (Uthmani Script)

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Qur’an 2:255 · Surah al-Baqarah · “The Throne Verse”

🎧 Listen to Ayatul Kursi — MP3 Audio

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English Translation (Sahih International)

Sahih International · 1997 Compare 8 translations →

Allah — there is no deity 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.

For a deeper verse-by-verse meaning with classical tafsir, see our dedicated meaning page.

Transliteration (Roman Script)

Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm. Lahu ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ard. Man dha alladhi yashfa’u ‘indahu illa bi-idhnih. Ya’lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuhituna bi-shay’in min ‘ilmihi illa bi-ma sha’. Wasi’a Kursiyyuhu as-samawati wal-ard, wa la ya’uduhu hifzuhuma, wa Huwa al-‘Aliyyul-‘Azim.

For a word-by-word interactive breakdown — click any Arabic word to see its meaning, root, and grammatical role — use the Word-by-Word Reader.

Verse-by-Verse Breakdown — The 10 Phrases of Ayatul Kursi

The verse is a cascade of ten theological statements about Allah. Reading them one by one reveals the structure.

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

“Allah — there is no deity except Him.”

The verse opens with the Islamic creed itself. Pure monotheism before anything else.

الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

“The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence.”

Two of Allah’s greatest names. His life has no beginning or end; everything else subsists only through Him.

لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ

“Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep.”

Arabic distinguishes sinah (light drowsiness) from nawm (deep sleep). Both are denied — Allah’s awareness never dims.

لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.”

Total ownership. The grammar fronts “to Him” — meaning exclusively His.

مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ

“Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?”

A rhetorical question. No intercession happens without His authorization — not from any prophet, angel, or saint.

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ

“He knows what is before them and what will be after them.”

An Arabic idiom: “between their hands” = past, “behind them” = future. Allah knows all of time at once.

وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ

“And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.”

Everything humans know is a drop that Allah has allowed us to see. His knowledge is unknowable to us by default.

وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ

“His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth.”

The verse the whole surah is named after. “Kursi” literally means footstool, but classical scholars differ on whether it refers to Allah’s actual footstool, His throne, His knowledge, or His dominion — see our deep-dive on Kursi vs Arsh.

وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا

“And their preservation tires Him not.”

Sustaining the entire cosmos — galaxies, atoms, life — does not burden Him in the slightest.

وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

“And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

The verse closes by returning to Allah’s greatness — Al-‘Aliyy (Most High) and Al-‘Azim (Most Great), two of His divine names.

What Does “Ayatul Kursi” Mean?

Ayah (آية) means “verse” or “sign” — the two meanings are intertwined, because every verse of the Qur’an is also a sign pointing to Allah.

Al-Kursi (الكرسي) literally means “the footstool” or “the chair.” The verse takes its name from the phrase “wasi’a Kursiyyuhu” — “His Kursi extends.”

So Ayatul Kursi means “The Verse of the Footstool” — often called “The Throne Verse” in English, though technically “throne” is Arsh, a different Arabic word. The Kursi and the Arsh are two different realities in Islamic cosmology. See our full breakdown of Kursi vs Arsh — 4 Classical Sunni Opinions.

Where Is Ayatul Kursi in the Qur’an?

Ayatul Kursi is the 255th verse of Surah al-Baqarah, which is the 2nd chapter of the Qur’an. In standard reference it is cited as Qur’an 2:255.

Chapter: Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) — the longest surah of the Qur’an.
Verse number: 255.
Juz (section): Juz 3, Hizb 5.
Context: The verses before it discuss the nature of belief, the covenant with Allah, and warnings against those who claim guidance without acting on it. Ayatul Kursi arrives as the theological center of the surah — a complete declaration of who Allah is.
Revealed: In Medina, during the Prophet’s ﷺ later years, when the Muslim community was establishing itself as a society.

Why Did the Prophet ﷺ Call It “The Greatest Verse”?

Among all 6,236 verses of the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ singled out this one by name. The hadith is in Sahih Muslim — one of the two most authentic hadith collections:

يَا أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ، أَتَدْرِي أَيُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ؟ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ: فَأَيُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ؟ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ… قَالَ: لِيَهْنِكَ الْعِلْمُ أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ

The Prophet ﷺ asked Ubayy ibn Ka’b: “O Abu al-Mundhir, do you know which verse of the Book of Allah with you is the greatest?” Ubayy replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet ﷺ asked again, and Ubayy answered: “Allah — there is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer…” (Ayatul Kursi). The Prophet ﷺ struck his chest and said: “Rejoice in your knowledge, O Abu al-Mundhir!”

Source: Sahih Muslim 810 · sunnah.com

Classical scholars explain why Allah ﷻ considered this verse the greatest: no other verse packs so many of Allah’s divine names and attributes into one sentence — His oneness, His life, His sustaining power, His absolute knowledge, His sovereignty, His might. See our deep-dive on why the Prophet ﷺ called it the greatest verse, with Ibn Kathir’s and al-Sa’di’s commentary.

12 Authentic Benefits of Ayatul Kursi (From Hadith)

Every benefit listed here is from Sahih or Hasan hadith. For the deeper discussion of each — and the fabricated claims we don’t include — see our benefits page and full hadith collection.

Direct path to ParadiseReciting after every fard prayer — “nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.”Nasa’i 9848 · Sahih

Allah’s guard until morningReciting before sleep brings a protective guard that keeps shaytan away.Bukhari 2311 · Sahih

Protection throughout the dayMorning recitation (with opening of Surah Ghafir) protects until the evening.Tirmidhi 2879 · Hasan

Repelling the devils“The devils are driven away by it.”Multiple chains · Sahih li-ghayrihi

Identified as the greatest verseThe Prophet ﷺ himself gave it this unique rank.Muslim 810 · Sahih

Chief of the Qur’anCalled the “chief of al-Baqarah,” which is itself the “peak of the Qur’an.”Al-Albani · Sahih

Protection of the homeReciting Surah al-Baqarah (which contains Ayatul Kursi) keeps shaytan from entering the house.Muslim 780 · Sahih (for al-Baqarah)

Contains Allah’s greatest nameSome scholars (including Ibn al-Qayyim) argued Allah’s “greatest name” (Ism al-A’zam) is found in Ayatul Kursi.Classical scholarly position

Comfort in anxietyReflecting on “Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum” (the Living, the Sustainer) is a classical anti-anxiety remedy — the One sustaining the universe is sustaining you too.See Al-Wabil al-Sayyib · Ibn al-Qayyim

Reaffirming pure monotheismOpens with the kalimah itself — reciting it is renewing your tawhid.Classical consensus

Reward of continuous dhikrAs Qur’anic recitation, each letter brings 10 hasanat (good deeds).Tirmidhi 2910 · Sahih

Easy to memorizeDespite its depth, the verse is only one ayah — most Muslims can memorize it in 7-12 days using a structured plan.Zakir’s method · see 12-day plan

When to Recite — The 5 Sunnah Times

Based on authentic hadith, there are five established times to recite Ayatul Kursi daily. To see each one aligned to your local prayer times, use the prayer times reminder tool.

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After each fard salah

The strongest Sunnah time. Reward: entering Paradise.

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Before sleep

Allah sends a guard until morning. The jinn hadith.

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Morning adhkar

Protection until evening.

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Evening adhkar

Protection through the night.

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Entering the home

Suggested by some scholars for protection.

How to Memorize Ayatul Kursi

Ayatul Kursi is only one verse — but 50 Arabic words is a lot for the first-time memorizer. The classical method breaks it into three phases: understand the meaning, hear the sounds repeatedly, memorize the Arabic script.

Our editor Zakir Mohammed wrote up the exact 12-day method he used — see the 12-day memorization plan. Pair it with the word-by-word reader to lock in meaning, the repeat player for sound drilling, and the memorize game to test recall.

For families teaching children, see our Kids & Family Guide — includes a printable memorization certificate and a 7-day family plan.

Classical Tafsir — 8 Scholars on Ayatul Kursi

Each classical mufassir brings a different angle to the verse. Here are the eight most important commentaries. See our dedicated tafsir page for the full passages.

14th century · Syria

1Ibn Kathir

The most quoted commentary. Groups the verse’s attributes into five themes: oneness, life, sustenance, knowledge, and sovereignty. Includes the famous Abu Hurayrah + jinn narration.

10th century · Baghdad

2Al-Tabari

The father of all later tafsir. Collects every narration from the Companions and Successors on each phrase. Comprehensive in detail.

13th century · Andalusia

3Al-Qurtubi

Famous for its depth on Islamic law and legal rulings derived from the verse. Discusses intercession in detail.

14th century · Najd

4Al-Sa’di

Modern, concise, and theological. Treats Ayatul Kursi as the clearest statement of Allah’s names and attributes anywhere in the Qur’an.

20th century · Tunisia

5Ibn Ashur

Linguistic and rhetorical analysis. Explains the verse’s grammatical structure (the fronting of “To Him,” the rhetorical questions) and why it is Qur’anic eloquence at its peak.

12th century · Baghdad

6Ibn al-Jawzi

Historical and devotional. Collects early Muslim practices around the verse — how the Companions and Followers used it in their daily lives.

12th century · Persia

7Al-Razi

The philosophical commentary. Approaches each attribute of Allah mentioned in the verse through rational theology.

11th century · Khorasan

8Al-Baghawi

A middle path — strong on narration (like al-Tabari), accessible like Ibn Kathir. The classical staple for seminary students.

All Reciters — Full Audio Library

We’ve compiled 15+ world-class reciters. Click any reciter for their full-length MP3, download, and background. Full page: All Reciters →

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Mishary AlafasyKuwait · Melodic Hafs

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Abdul Rahman Al-SudaisImam of Haram, Makkah

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Maher Al-MuaiqlyImam of Haram, Makkah

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Saad Al-GhamdiSaudi Arabia · Soft style

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Abdul Basit Abdus SamadEgypt · Classical mujawwad

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Ahmad Al-AjmiSaudi Arabia · Melodic

See all 15+ reciters →

Downloads — PDF, MP3, Wallpaper, Ringtone

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📄 PDF — Printable

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🎵 MP3 Audio

15+ reciters, 320kbps, offline-ready for mobile.

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🖼️ Wallpaper

Phone, desktop or Instagram size. 9 templates, 4 fonts.

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📱 Ringtone

30-second clips from 3 reciters, MP3 format.

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📜 Pre-made PDF

Ready A4 Arabic + English version, instant download.

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🏆 Kids Certificate

Printable memorization certificate for your child.

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Ayatul Kursi in Your Language

Translations with Arabic text, side-by-side meaning, and MP3 audio in your language’s reciters.

🇮🇳Hindiहिंदी 🇵🇰Urduاردو 🇧🇩Banglaবাংলা 🇮🇳Tamilதமிழ் 🇲🇾MalayMelayu 🇮🇩IndonesianBahasa 🇹🇷TurkishTürkçe 🇬🇧EnglishEnglish

Common Misconceptions — Separating Authentic From Fabricated

Social media circulates many claims about Ayatul Kursi that are either weak or completely fabricated. Here are the most common:

Not from authentic hadith:

“Recite 313 times to marry the one you love”
“Recite 1,000 times to open the doors of rizq”
“Recite 7 times before sleep to see your beloved in a dream”
“Recite 70 times for Allah to lift your debt”

These are fabricated. The authentic rewards don’t need these specific counts.

For the full analysis — including what IS authentic — see our weak hadith deep-dive and the filterable hadith collection that labels each one by grade (Sahih / Hasan / Da’if / Mawdu’).

Interactive Tools — Study, Memorize, Practice

Everything we’ve built to help you learn, memorize, and keep Ayatul Kursi in your daily life. All free, all no-signup, all save progress privately in your browser.

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Repeat PlayerAuto-loop 100× / 313× / 1000× or non-stop with 6 reciters.

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Memorize GameClick Arabic words in correct order. 4 difficulty levels, scored.

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Daily TrackerStreak counter + 56-day heatmap. Phase-aware next steps.

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Word-by-Word ReaderClick any Arabic word for meaning, root, grammar, Hindi/Urdu.

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Custom PDF BuilderPick size, language, tajweed. Instant download.

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Wallpaper MakerPhone, desktop, Instagram. 9 templates, 4 fonts, HD PNG.

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Ringtone Library30-second MP3 clips from Alafasy, Sudais, Al-Ghamdi.

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Kids & Family GuideAge-tabs, 7-day plan, printable certificate.

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Prayer Times ReminderLocal salah schedule + when to recite today.

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Compare Translations8 English translations side-by-side, highlighted differences.

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Hadith Collection16 narrations, filterable by grade and topic.

What Classical Scholars Said

Ibn Taymiyyah14th century

“Ayatul Kursi is the greatest verse because it combines all the primary attributes of Allah in a single sentence — His oneness, life, power, dominion, knowledge, and loftiness.”

Ibn al-Qayyim14th century

In Al-Wabil al-Sayyib: “Reflecting on Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum calms the heart against anxiety more than any human reassurance.” (See our Ayatul Kursi for anxiety article.)

Al-Sa’di20th century

“This verse is the clearest statement in the Qur’an about Allah’s names and attributes. Memorizing it means memorizing the heart of Islamic theology.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ayatul Kursi?

Ayatul Kursi is verse 255 of Surah al-Baqarah (Qur’an 2:255), the single verse the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called the greatest in the entire Qur’an. It is a complete declaration of Allah’s oneness, life, sovereignty, knowledge, and might — all in one Arabic sentence.

Where is Ayatul Kursi located in the Qur’an?

Surah al-Baqarah (chapter 2), verse 255. In Juz 3, Hizb 5. Standard citation: Qur’an 2:255. It was revealed in Medina during the Prophet’s ﷺ later years.

What does “Ayatul Kursi” mean in English?

Ayah means “verse” or “sign”; Kursi literally means “footstool.” So Ayatul Kursi = “The Verse of the Footstool.” Many English sources call it “The Throne Verse” though technically “throne” is Arsh (a different word).

How many words are in Ayatul Kursi?

Approximately 50 Arabic words, depending on how particles and prefixes are counted. The verse is a single long sentence in Arabic grammar — one of the longest “complete sentences” in the Qur’an.

Why is Ayatul Kursi called the greatest verse?

The Prophet ﷺ gave it this title directly (Sahih Muslim 810, see hadith above). Classical scholars explain the ranking is because no other single verse combines so many of Allah’s primary attributes — oneness, life, sustaining power, knowledge, sovereignty, might — into one sentence.

What are the benefits of reciting Ayatul Kursi daily?

From authentic hadith: direct path to Paradise if recited after every fard prayer (Nasa’i 9848 · Sahih), Allah’s guard until morning if recited before sleep (Bukhari 2311 · Sahih), protection throughout the day with morning recitation (Tirmidhi 2879 · Hasan), repelling the devils, and the general reward of 10 hasanat per letter of recited Qur’an. See the full list of 12 benefits above.

When should I recite Ayatul Kursi?

Five Sunnah times: (1) after every fard salah, (2) before sleep, (3) in morning adhkar, (4) in evening adhkar, (5) when entering the home. The strongest is after each fard. Use our prayer times reminder tool to see when these align today in your city.

Is reciting Ayatul Kursi 313 times authentic?

No. Specific numerical counts like “313 times for marriage” or “1,000 times for wealth” come from fabricated narrations and folk traditions. They are not from authentic hadith. The authentic Sunnah is simply: once after each fard, once before sleep, once morning and evening. See our weak hadith article for details.

How do I memorize Ayatul Kursi?

The classical method is 12 days: Days 1-4 understand the meaning (word-by-word), Days 5-8 drill the sounds (repeat player), Days 9-12 write the Arabic. Full step-by-step: 12-day memorization plan. For children, see our family guide with a 7-day plan.

Can I set Ayatul Kursi as my ringtone?

Scholarly opinion is divided — some permit it as dhikr, others discourage because ringtones get cut off mid-verse. A middle view: use it as a notification tone (short burst) rather than full ringtone. See our ringtone page for the full discussion plus 30-second clips if you want to try.

What is the difference between Kursi and Arsh?

Both are mentioned in the Qur’an as realities related to Allah. Classical scholars offer four main positions on their relationship. See our dedicated article: Kursi vs Arsh — 4 Classical Sunni Opinions.

Where can I download Ayatul Kursi PDF?

Pre-made A4 PDF with Arabic + English: download free. Custom PDF (pick language, size, tajweed): build your own.

Can non-Arabic speakers benefit from reciting Ayatul Kursi?

Yes. Reciting Qur’an in Arabic is rewarded even without full comprehension — the sounds themselves are blessed. However, Islam strongly encourages understanding what you recite. Start with our word-by-word reader to learn each word’s meaning while memorizing.

Who is Zakir Mohammed?

The lead editor of Ayatulkursi.org. A reverted Muslim from India working as part of an informal volunteer dawah collective. See the about page for the full story. Our editorial policy explains how we verify every hadith and translation on the site.

Is this site free? Any signup?

Everything on Ayatulkursi.org is 100% free — no signup, no paywall, no account required. All tools work in your browser; all data (streaks, progress, learned words) stays privately on your device. We’re funded by display ads and reader donations — support the site if you’d like.