Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 255) and the related verses (256 and 257) hold an unparalleled status in elucidating the principles of Tawhid (Divine Unity), the system of Wilaya (Divine Authority), and Divine Guidance. These verses, with their unparalleled comprehensiveness, illuminate the foundational doctrinal and practical tenets of Islam and are recognised as a rich source for religious and mystical knowledge. This treatise, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, offers a detailed analysis of these verses and, through the use of refined metaphors and spiritual references, expounds their profound concepts for a specialised and academic audience. The objective is to provide a comprehensive view of the lexical, philosophical, mystical, and social dimensions of these verses, accompanied by constructive critique of traditional religious sciences methodologies and proposals for alignment with modern sciences.
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
God, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of 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 before them and what is behind 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 does not tire Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Ayat al-Kursi comprises eight divine names (Allah, Ilah, Huwa, Hayy, Qayyum, Aliyy, Azim, Huwa) and eight pronouns (Huwa, Lahu, Hu, Indahu, Bihi, Hum, Huma, Huwa), which indicate the unity and multiplicity within the Divine Essence. These names and pronouns constitute the foundation of Tawhid and Divine cognition. Furthermore, the verse contains two phonetic symmetries: the Ayn consonant symmetry in yashfa indahu and the Meem consonant symmetry in yalam ma, which enhance the verbal and semantic harmony of the verse.
Due to its comprehensiveness in explaining Tawhid, divine attributes, and the system of Wilaya, this verse is among the principal Quranic verses. It contains the elements of guidance (maunah), deep contemplation (iman), and the test (imtin) of faith, making it an unparalleled source for religious knowledge.
Ayat al-Kursi, with its coherent structure and profound content, is not only the heart of the Holy Quran but also a source from which all Quranic sciencesranging from Lordship attributes to the creation of the earthly and celestial realmsmay be derived. This verse, by means of spiritual talismans and divine names, paves the way for knowledge and protection.
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انْفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
There is no compulsion in religion; verily, the right path has become distinct from error. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold which will never break. And God is Hearing and Knowing.
The principle of l ikrha f al-dn is founded upon the clear distinction between guidance and misguidance. This principle emphasises rationality and free will in accepting religion. When the truth of religion becomes manifest, compulsion becomes meaningless and is replaced by the explanation of growth. If the truth is not clear, compulsion is ineffective since acceptance without knowledge is valueless. Conversely, when truth is evident, coercion is unnecessary because human nature inherently inclines towards goodness and welfare.
This verse places disbelief in Taghut prior to faith in God, signifying the necessity of purifying the heart from polytheism before faith. This precedence aligns with verses such as Surah Az-Zumar (39:17: And those who avoid Taghut) and Surah An-Nahl (16:36), which consider avoidance of Taghut a prerequisite for repentance or worship. This priority emphasises self-purification and clarity before knowledge.
Verse 256 focuses on faith and disbelief rather than actions or worship, indicating the centrality of belief as the foundation of religion. Faith without rejection of Taghut may be mixed with polytheism, whereas prior disbelief guarantees pure faith.
Verse 256, by emphasising no compulsion and the precedence of disbelief in Taghut over faith, points to rationality and freedom in religion. This verse, by clarifying growth and negating polytheism, paves the way for pure faith and stresses the importance of self-purification.
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
God is the Guardian of those who believe; He brings them out from darkness into light. And those who disbelieve their guardians are Taghut, who bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
Verse 257 elucidates the system of Wilaya: God is the guardian of the believers, guiding them from the darkness of ignorance and misguidance to light. Conversely, Taghut is the guardian of the disbelievers, leading them from light towards darkness. This dichotomy refers to the opposition between light and darkness, truth and falsehood.
The companions of the Fire are those whose existence has been transformed from a dusty (earthly) state to a fiery one due to disbelief and obstinacy. This ontological transformation resembles chemical changes in nature that alter substances. Their eternity in the Fire (hum fh khlidn) is a consequence of their fiery existential nature, not compulsion or inherent wretchedness. This perspective negates innate damnation and highlights the role of deeds in the hereafter.
Hellfire is fueled by both humans and stones (wa qdh al-ns wa al-ijrah, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:24). Disbelieving humans become the fuel of Hellfire themselves, indicating the effect of actions in transforming their existential nature.
Verse 257, by clarifying the system of divine and Taghut guardianship, points to the opposition between guidance and misguidance. The companions of the Fire, through their existential transformation caused by disbelief, find eternity in the Fire, which is a result of their deeds rather than determinism.
Ayat al-Kursi, due to its unparalleled structure and divine names, is a talisman with immense spiritual and unseen effects. Regular recitation ensures both spiritual and corporeal sustenance and prevents lethargy, intoxication, and the rust of the heart. This verse, like a divine elite force, provides spiritual strength and protection.
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi during prostration, qunut, before sleep, and upon waking preserves one from spiritual and physical afflictions. The verse, composed of ten cohesive sections, should be recited in order and with care for its full effects to manifest.
Ayat al-Kursi produces effects even for non-believers, similar to a blade whose efficacy does not depend on belief. This characteristic points to the intrinsic influence of Quranic verses, independent of faith.
Ayat al
