Ayatul Kursi Transliteration in English
Ayatul Kursi — the Throne Verse — is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqara and is described in authentic hadith as the greatest verse in the Quran. This guide gives you the full Arabic text, English transliteration, translation, and Tajweed pronunciation notes so you can recite it correctly, whether or not you know the Arabic script.
What is Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي) literally translates as “The Throne Verse”. It is the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqara, the second and longest chapter of the Quran. Despite being a single verse, it is one of the longest individual verses in the Quran — a sweeping declaration of the attributes of Allah, covering His eternal existence, His omniscience, and His absolute sovereignty over all creation.
In a famous hadith narrated by Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked which verse of the Quran was the greatest. He replied: “Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom” — the opening words of Ayatul Kursi. In another narration, Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet said that whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer will have no barrier between them and Paradise except death.
Because of its immense importance, Ayatul Kursi is one of the first passages many Muslims memorise — even those who do not read Arabic script. This guide makes that accessible for everyone.
Full Transliteration of Ayatul Kursi
Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 255 (2:255)
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom. Laa ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm. Lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard. Man dhal-ladhee yashfa'u 'indahu illaa bi-idhnih. Ya'lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum. Wa laa yuheetoona bi-shay'im min 'ilmihi illaa bimaa shaa'. Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal-ard. Wa laa ya'uduhu hifzuhumaa. Wa huwal-'Aliyyul-'Azeem.
Translation
“Allah — 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 [presently] before them and what will be after 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 tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
Segment-by-Segment Pronunciation Guide
Ayatul Kursi is long, but it can be learned in segments. Below, each segment is shown with its Arabic text, transliteration, translation, and the most important Tajweed notes you need to recite it correctly.
Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huw
Allah — there is no deity except Him
Tajweed note: The name "Allah" begins with a heavy Lam (Tafkheem) because the preceding vowel is a Damma (u). "Laa" has a 2-count Madd Tabee'ee on the alif. "Ilaaha" also contains a 2-count Madd. "Illaa" (إلا) has a 2-count natural Madd. Read these prolongations steadily — do not rush.
Al-Hayyul-Qayyoom
the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence
Tajweed note: "Al-Hayy" — the Lam in "Al" is silent (Shamsiyyah rule does not apply here; it is read with the H). "Al-Qayyoom" ends with a 2-count Madd on the Waw before the stop. The Qaf (ق) is a deep, back-of-the-throat sound — heavier than a regular K.
Laa ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm
Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep
Tajweed note: "Ta'khudhuhu" — the Dha (ذ) is a soft dental sound, like the "th" in "the" but slightly heavier. "Sinatun" — the Ta (ة) is a Tanwin: pronounce the final short -un sound. "Wa laa nawm" — the second Laa has a 2-count Madd.
Lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth
Tajweed note: "Maa" (ما) appears twice — each has a 2-count Madd Tabee'ee. "As-Samaawaati" has the Shamsiyyah rule: the Lam in "Al" assimilates into the Seen (س). "Al-Ard" — the Lam is clear (Qamariyyah rule) because Alif-Lam is followed by a Hamza.
Man dhal-ladhee yashfa'u 'indahu illaa bi-idhnih
Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
Tajweed note: "Man dhaa" — when nun (ن) meets Dha (ذ), apply Ikhfaa: soften the Nun with a nasal hum before the Dha. "Al-Ladhee" — the Lam-Lam here is the relative pronoun "alladhee". "'Indahu" — the 'Ayn (ع) is a deep throat sound with no English equivalent. "Bi-idhnih" — the Dha (ذ) is soft.
Ya'lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum
He knows what is before them and what will be after them
Tajweed note: "Ya'lamu" — the 'Ayn (ع) is a voiced pharyngeal consonant; produce it from deep in the throat. "Bayna" — the Ya (ي) here is a natural 2-count Madd (Madd Tabee'ee). "Aydeehim" ends with a 2-count Madd on the Yaa before the Haa.
Wa laa yuheetoona bi-shay'im min 'ilmihi illaa bimaa shaa'
And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills
Tajweed note: "Yuheetoona" contains a 2-count Madd on the Yaa. "Shay'im" — the Tanwin (im) meets the Meem in "min": apply Idgham with Ghunnah (merge the Nun into the Meem with a 2-count nasal hum). "Min 'ilmihi" — a slight Ikhfaa nasal hum before the 'Ayn. "Shaa'" ends with a Hamza — give it a clean glottal stop.
Wasi'a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal-ard
His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth
Tajweed note: "Kursiyyu" — the Yaa (يّ) is doubled (Shaddah). Hold it slightly longer. "Kursiyyuhus-Samaawaat" — there is a natural link (Wasla) between "kursiyyuhu" and "as-samaawaat". The Seen takes the Shamsiyyah assimilation rule again.
Wa laa ya'uduhu hifzuhumaa
And their preservation tires Him not
Tajweed note: "Ya'udu" contains a Hamza in the middle (ئ) — pronounce it with a clear glottal stop. "Hifzuhumaa" — the Maa at the end has a 2-count Madd Tabee'ee. This is a short, precise phrase: enunciate each word clearly.
Wa huwal-'Aliyyul-'Azeem
And He is the Most High, the Most Great
Tajweed note: "Al-'Aliyy" — the 'Ayn (ع) is pharyngeal; pull the sound from the throat. The Yaa (يّ) is doubled with a Shaddah. "Al-'Azeem" ends the verse with a 2-count Madd on the Yaa. When stopping here (as is traditional), extend the final Meem very slightly (Waqf).
Key Tajweed Rules in Ayatul Kursi
Ayatul Kursi is an excellent verse to practise because it contains many of the most common Tajweed rules. Here are the five you will encounter most frequently:
1. Madd Tabee'ee (Natural Prolongation)
Wherever you see “aa”, “ee”, or “oo” in the transliteration, hold the vowel sound for exactly 2 counts (beats). Examples: “laa”, “ilaaha”, “al-Qayyoom”, “samaawaati”. In the colour-coded reader, these appear highlighted in red tones. Do not cut them short or stretch them beyond 2 counts.
2. Ghunnah (Nasalisation)
A nasal humming sound held for 2 counts. In Ayatul Kursi, this appears in “sinatun” (nasal -un ending), “bi-shay'im min” (the Nun followed by Meem creates Idgham with Ghunnah — the sounds merge with a nasal hum), and wherever you see a doubled Meem or Noon (with Shaddah). The colour-coded reader highlights these in green.
3. Shamsiyyah Rule (Sun Letters)
When “Al-” (the definite article) precedes a sun letter (حروف شمسية), the Lam sound disappears and the following letter is doubled. In Ayatul Kursi: “as-samaawaati” (the Lam blends into the Seen), “an-nawm” (Lam into Noon). This is why you see “as-” or “ad-” instead of “al-” in the transliteration.
4. The 'Ayn (ع) Sound
The letter 'Ayn (ع) is a voiced pharyngeal consonant with no direct equivalent in English. It is produced by constricting the pharynx (the back of the throat, above the larynx). In Ayatul Kursi it appears in “'indahu” (with Him), “ya'lamu” (He knows), and “al-'Aliyy” (the Most High). To practise: open your mouth, drop your jaw, and produce a sound from the very back of your throat. It resembles a suppressed, strained “ah”.
5. Hamzatul Wasl and Waqf
When you pause (Waqf) at the end of Ayatul Kursi — on “al-'Azeem” — hold the final vowel very slightly before stopping. This is the traditional stopping point marked by a Waqf sign in the Mushaf. Do not cut the word abruptly. When reading continuously, the connecting Hamza (Hamzatul Wasl) at the beginning of “al-” is silent in the middle of a sentence.
How to Memorise Ayatul Kursi Step by Step
Memorising Ayatul Kursi is a goal for millions of Muslims around the world. The key is breaking it into manageable segments and repeating each one many times before moving on. Here is a practical approach:
Day 1 — Segments 1 and 2
Begin with “Allahu laa ilaaha illaa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom.” Repeat it 20 times, focusing on the Madd prolongations and the Qaf sound. Once comfortable, add “Laa ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm.” End the session by reciting both segments together 10 times without looking.
Day 2 — Segments 3 and 4
Review Day 1's segments first (5 times). Then add “Lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard” and “Man dhal-ladhee yashfa'u 'indahu illaa bi-idhnih.” Pay attention to the 'Ayn in “'indahu”. Recite all four segments together at the end.
Days 3 and 4 — Remaining Segments
Continue adding 2 segments per day, always reviewing everything from the beginning. By Day 4 or 5, you should be able to recite the full verse. The final segment — “Wa huwal-'Aliyyul-'Azeem” — is short and easy to attach. Finish each session by reciting the complete verse 5 times.
Daily Revision
Recite Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer. This gives you five daily repetitions in a spiritually meaningful context, which is the most effective way to cement memorisation for the long term. Use the audio feature in our reader to check your pronunciation against a professional reciter.
When to Recite Ayatul Kursi
Several authentic hadith describe specific occasions for reciting Ayatul Kursi:
- After each obligatory prayer: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever recites it after every fard salah will have nothing standing between them and Paradise except death. (Al-Nasaa'i, authenticated by Al-Albani)
- Before sleeping: Abu Huraira reported that reciting Ayatul Kursi before sleeping ensures protection throughout the night, as confirmed in hadith recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari.
- Morning and evening adhkar: It is among the recommended morning and evening remembrances (adhkar), often combined with the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqara.
- Entering and leaving home: Reciting Ayatul Kursi when entering the home is recommended in several Islamic scholarly traditions.
For more daily supplications with transliteration, see our guide on Surah Al-Fatiha, the verse every Muslim recites in each unit of prayer.
Reading Ayatul Kursi with Colour-Coded Tajweed
Our Quran reader displays Surah Al-Baqara — including Ayatul Kursi — with full Tajweed colour coding. Each colour tells you exactly which rule to apply as you read. You do not need to memorise every rule in advance; the colours act as real-time guides:
Red — Madd: hold the vowel sound for the indicated duration (2 or 4–6 counts)
Green — Ghunnah: 2-count nasal hum through the nose
Blue — Tafkheem: heavy, emphatic pronunciation (e.g. the Qaf in “Qayyoom”)
Grey — Silent letters: written but not pronounced
For a full breakdown of every colour, see the Complete Tajweed Rules Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayatul Kursi in English?
Ayatul Kursi (آية الكرسي) means “The Throne Verse” in English. It is verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqara — the second chapter of the Quran — and describes the attributes of Allah: His eternal existence, omniscience, and sovereignty over all creation. It is widely considered the greatest single verse in the Quran based on authentic hadith narrations.
How do you pronounce Ayatul Kursi correctly?
Focus on three things: (1) Hold every long vowel (“aa”, “ee”, “oo”) for exactly 2 counts — do not cut them short. (2) Produce the 'Ayn (ع) from the back of the throat — it sounds like a strained, voiced “ah”. (3) Apply a 2-count nasal hum (Ghunnah) wherever the transliteration guide indicates it. Using the colour-coded reader alongside audio recitation is the fastest way to learn the correct pronunciation.
When should you recite Ayatul Kursi?
Based on authentic hadith, the most important occasions are: after every obligatory prayer (which, according to one narration, protects the reciter until the next prayer), before sleeping (as narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari), and as part of morning and evening adhkar. Many scholars also recommend it when entering the home.
How long is Ayatul Kursi?
Ayatul Kursi is a single verse (verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqara) but one of the longest individual verses in the Quran, containing 50 words in Arabic. Most reciters take approximately 30 to 45 seconds at a measured pace with correct Tajweed. At a faster pace it can be completed in around 20 seconds, though a measured recitation is preferred for clarity and correctness.
Can you memorise Ayatul Kursi without knowing Arabic?
Yes. Many Muslims who do not read Arabic script memorise Ayatul Kursi using transliteration. The guide above breaks it into 10 segments — memorise two per day and you will know the full verse in under a week. Combining transliteration with listening to audio recitation is the most effective approach, as it trains both your eyes and ears simultaneously.
Read Surah Al-Baqara — including Ayatul Kursi — in the full colour-coded reader:
Open Surah Al-Baqara in the ReaderFree, no account required, works on any device