The Throne Verse (Ayat al-Kursi), this radiant gem of the Holy Qur'an, serves as a gateway opening towards divine knowledge. This verse, with its unparalleled comprehensiveness in elucidating the intrinsic Names, Lordly Attributes, and Divine Pronouns, holds an exalted status within Qur'anic sciences. In this treatise, employing a scientific and systematic approach, we have delved into the profound meanings of this verse to open a path toward a deeper understanding of Qur'anic knowledge by relying on its Names, Attributes, and Pronouns. The objective is not only to explicate the apparent concepts but also to extract the subtle and hidden aspects of this verse, which is akin to a treasure among the treasures of the Divine Throne, accessible to seekers of knowledge. The structure of this work, with specialised divisions and precise subheadings, is designed to be both utilitarian and engaging for erudite audiences and researchers in the domain of religious sciences.
Ayat al-Kursi, encompassing the intrinsic Names and Lordly Attributes, is one of the medium-length but qualitatively supreme long verses. Due to its comprehensiveness in explicating monotheism, it provides a solid foundation for divine knowledge. Just as the sun dispels darkness with its light, Ayat al-Kursi illuminates the heart of the believer with its enlightening knowledge.
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
Godthere is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. 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 Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
One of the common afflictions in understanding the Holy Qur'an is restricting oneself to recitation and tajweed without benefiting from its profound knowledge. The Qur'an is not merely a book of recitation but a practical and guiding book that must be applied in life, sciences, and human knowledge. Superficial interpretation confines the Qur'an to the status of a fanciful object and diminishes its efficacy in resolving spiritual and social problems.
Ayat al-Kursi encompasses three intrinsic Divine Names: Allah, Ilah, and Huwa. The name Huwa simultaneously functions as a noun and a pronoun, referring to the Divine Oneness. Allah signifies the container of unity, while Ilah refers to the created divinity. These Names constitute the foundation of monotheism and each manifests a level of the Divine Essence.
In the phrase اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ, Allah is the subject, La ilaha is the predicate of negation (generic noun), and Huwa is an implicit predicate that affirms the unity of Allah and Huwa in the concept of Oneness and Unity. This structure reveals the dynamic function of the Names in clarifying monotheism.
Reciting the intrinsic Names, such as Allah and Huwa, requires purity and a refined soul. Just as a key is useless without a matching lock, Divine Names have no effect without spiritual readiness. Mentioning Allah alone is complete and perfect and directs the heart towards knowledge. Nevertheless, adding prefixes such as Ya (e.g., Ya Allah) or the definite article Al (e.g., Al-Hayy Al-Qayyum) makes the Names more accessible to the human realm.
Believing in the automatic effect of the Greatest Name without a spiritual foundation leads to superstition. The Greatest Name, in which Allah and Huwa occupy a central role, is effective only in an enlightened heart and a purified soul. Ineffective remembrance is like a useless medicine, which may cause side effects such as obsession or psychological disorder.
Ayat al-Kursi contains eight pronouns (Huwa, Lahu, 'Indahu, Bi-Idhnihi) which, in subtle remembrance, transform into Divine Names and activate Lordship. Repetition of the pronoun Huwa eight times during prostration and supplication facilitates connection with unseen realms, including jinn, angels, and pure spirits.
The verse includes seven created attributes: from لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ to وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا. These attributes demonstrate Divine authority in managing creation and, alongside the Names, establish a spiritual balance in remembrance.
For balance in remembrance, Names and Attributes must be used together. Complete remembrance of the verses Names (seven Names) and Attributes bears witness to the owner of the heart and knowledge. However, heavy remembrance without supplementary voluntary prayers, salutations, and charity may cause harm such as obsessive behaviour.
Ayat al-Kursi introduces the Throne as a container encompassing the heavens and the earth. A narration from Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) is quoted in Al-Ayashis exegesis:
Abu Dharr said: O Messenger of God! What is the most superior verse revealed to you? He replied: Ayat al-Kursi.
In this narration, the Throne is described so immensely that the heavens and the earth are like a ring in a vast desert before it. The Divine Throne (Arsh) is superior to the Throne (Kursi) and, as the container of the inner world, holds a higher position.
Certain narrations erroneously rank the Throne above the Divine Throne. This mistake stems from a lack of precise understanding of the levels of the Arsh and Kursi. The Arsh is the container of the inner realm and the Kursi is the container of the outer realm. This distinction holds fundamental importance in the philosophical and mystical interpretation of Ayat al-Kursi.
Due to containing Qur'anic marvels, Ayat al-Kursi is effective in curing ailments, strengthening the heart, and elevating knowledge. Reciting the Names and Pronouns of this verse, while observing conditions such as purity, voluntary prayers, and salutations, activates spiritual custodians and protects one from calamities.
Focusing on material needs (such as treasure-seeking) in reciting Ayat al-Kursi leads to entrapment. For material needs, lower Names should be used alongside the supreme Names to maintain balance.
One challenge facing religious knowledge is the frequent suspension of lessons due to occasions and lack of seriousness in acquiring knowledge. This has diminished the credibility of Qur'anic sciences compared to empirical and academic sciences. Religious knowledge must respond to global challenges with a scientific and practical approach.
The Holy Qur'an is a practical book requiring scientific laboratories for extracting its knowledge. Scientific domains must establish research frameworks to explore Qur'anic marvels and avoid superficiality.
Ayat al-Kursi, with its intrinsic Names, pronouns, and Lordly Attributes, is like a treasure awaiting the seekers of knowledge. This verse not only opens a path toward monotheism and divine knowledge but also, with correct remembrance accompanied by purity, enlivens the believers heart and activates spiritual custodians. Critiquing superficial and superstitious approaches, alongside emphasising the necessity of a scientific method in understanding the Qur'an, paves the way for the revival of Qur'anic sciences. It is hoped that this treatise constitutes a step toward the exaltation of Qur'anic knowledge and the promotion of a deep and dynamic approach to interpreting this heavenly book.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
