What is Ayat al-Kursi and when should I recite it?

Ayat al-Kursi is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah. It describes the absolute sovereignty of Allah: that He neither sleeps nor tires, that nothing intercedes without His permission, and that His knowledge and dominion encompass everything.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, told Abu Hurayrah that whoever recites it on going to bed will have a protector from Allah, and no devil will come near until morning. He also described it as the greatest verse in the Quran.

When to recite it

• After every obligatory prayer
• Before sleeping
• As part of morning and evening adhkar
• On entering a place that feels unsettling
• Over children at night

Learn the meaning, not only the sounds. The verse's content is the protection: nothing operates outside what it describes. Reciting words whose meaning you have never learned is a much weaker act than reciting words you understand.

If you memorise one thing from this entire subject, memorise this verse.

Ayat al-Kursi: Meaning, Virtues and When to Recite It