The Benefits of Reciting and Memorizing Ayat – Ul- Kursi
Although each and every word of Quran is absolute truth and comes with blessings and virtues, however, there are different parts of Qurans either in the form of Ayah or in the form of whole Surah that are superior to the other parts and have their own set of significance.
There are different Ayahs and Surahs of Quran, which have particular significances and are recommended to be recited in particular occasions. These recommendations are to be found in different hadiths of Prophet (PBUH) pertaining to such excerpts Quran. Once such excerpt of Quran that is increasingly popular among Muslims and Muslim memorize and recite it on regular basis under different circumstances is Ayat-Ul-Kursi.
The lines below discuss the benefits of memorizing and reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi in the light of different hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but before that the Arabic text, the transliteration and the English translation of Ayat-ul-Kursi is as under.
Transliteration:
Transliteration is given below. However, to recite it accurately, you must learn to recite Quran with tajweed:
Allahu laaa ilaaha illaa huwal haiyul qai-yoom; laa taakhuzuhoo sinatunw wa laa nawm; lahoo maa fissamaawaati wa maa fil ard; man zallazee yashfa’u indahooo illaa be iznih; ya’lamu maa baina zideehim wa maa khalfahum; wa laa yuheetoona beshai ‘immin ‘ilmihee illa be maa shaaaa; wasi’a kursiyyuhus samaa waati wal arda wa la ya’ooduho hifzuhumaa; wa huwal aliyyul ‘azeem
Translation:
“Allah! There is no god but He – the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)”. (Quran 2:255)
Explanation:
If a believer sees the meaning of the words of Ayat-ul-Kursi, then he or she would ultimately come to the conclusion that these words and their meanings all represent the Supremacy of Allah Almighty in everything. He is Above all, Greatest, Magnificent, free of humanly Attributes, and the Lord of Universe. Therefore, depending upon the condition and situation of the believer, the recitation of Ayat-ul-Kursi can represent submissiveness, seeking of help of Allah Almighty, His praise and a recitation of His Glory.
Benefits Of Ayat-ul-Kursi:
There are different hadiths and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that point towards the different benefits that a Muslim can attain under different situations by reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi. The lines below give a few such major hadiths.
Once Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to one of His companions:
“O Abu’ al-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest?”
He said:
“Allah and His Apostle know the best.”
Prophet (PBUH) again said:
“Abu’l-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which according to you is the greatest?”
He replied:
“Allah, there is no god but He, the living, the Eternal.”
Thereupon Prophet (PBUH) struck him on his breast and said:
“May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu’l-Mundhir!” (Muslim No. 1768)
From this hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the one thing that becomes clear is the fact that Ayat-ul-Kursi is the greatest ayah of Quran. Therefore, if one is to recite something from Quran that shows its greatness and which within itself represents greatness is the Ayat-ul-Kursi, hence, every Muslim must try to recite Ayat-ul-Kursi, if he or she is to recite any excerpt from Quran.
In another hadith of His, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whosoever recites Ayat-ul-Kursi after every Prayer then nothing can stop him from entering Paradise except for death (i.e. he will for sure enter paradise after death).” (Sunnan Nasai’i al Kubra, 6/30)
Perhaps this hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gives the greatest reason for a Muslim to memorize Ayat-ul-Kursi and make its recitation a part of daily life. A Muslim says prayers five times a day, therefore, five times a day is the chance for a Muslim to recite Ayat-ul-Kursi and ensure heaven after death. Ergo, those who wish to have a better hereafter must memorize Ayat-ul-Kursi and then recite it after every prayer and earn countless blessings in this world and a greater reward in the world hereafter.
Another hadith regarding the benefit of Ayat-ul-Kursi is narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira, who says:
“Allah’s Apostle ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramadan. Then somebody came to me and started stealing of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, “I will take you to Allah’s Apostle” Then Abu Huraira (RA) described the whole narration and said : “That person said, “Please don’t take me to Allah’s Apostle and I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you. When you go to your bed, recite Ayat-ul-Kursi for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn.”
When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) listened the narration, He replied:
“He (who came to you at night) told you the truth although he is a liar; and it was Satan.” (Volume 6, Book 61, Number 530)
From this hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) another aspect of the benefits of Ayat-ul-Kursi becomes clear according to which at the time of sleep, recitation of Ayat-ul-Kursi helps protect a person from the attacks of Satan. It is the objective of every Muslim to stay away from Satan in any case, therefore, by reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi, one makes sure that Allah Almighty protects the person from Satan during the whole long sleep till dawn.
Conclusion:
In short, Ayat-ul-Kursi is one of the greatest and most sacred ayahs of Quran. It can help a person submit to the Greatness of Allah, find refuge from the attacks of Satan, and above all a means of ensuring Jannah in the life hereafter. Therefore, it is imperative that a Muslim memorizes Ayat-ul-Kursi and whenever a chance is available should recite it and become one of the blessed ones.
