Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse)

Ayat al-Kursi (Arabic: آية الكرسي), or "The Throne Verse," is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah and is considered the most magnificent verse in the entire Quran. It describes Allah's absolute power, knowledge, and dominion over the heavens and the earth.

The verse reads: "Allah! There is no god except Him, the Living, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and it tires Him not to preserve them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said to Imam Ali (peace be upon him): "The one who recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer is separated from Paradise only by death" (Bihar al-Anwar by Allamah al-Majlisi, vol. 82). Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Everything has a peak (dhirwah), and the peak of the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi" (Al-Kafi, vol. 2, Kitab Fadl al-Quran).

In Shia prayer practice, it is strongly recommended to recite Ayat al-Kursi after all obligatory prayers as part of dhikr (remembrance). It is also recommended to recite it before sleep for protection, upon entering a new home, during travel, and in any situation where one seeks Allah's protection. Ayat al-Kursi is one of the most powerful spiritual tools in the believer's arsenal and is used daily by millions of Muslims worldwide.