اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither slumber 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 [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 (Throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard. Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnihi. Ya'lamu ma bayna aydeehim wa ma khalfahum, wa la yuheetuna bi-shay'im-min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a. Wasi'a Kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ard. Wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma. Wa Huwal-'Aliyyul-Adheem.
When to Read
This powerful verse, known as Ayat al-Kursi, should be recited right before you lie down to sleep. Make it one of your last acts of the day, a conscious effort to seek Allah's protection as you prepare for rest.
How to Read
Simply recite Ayat al-Kursi from beginning to end, with a mindful heart and full understanding of its profound meaning. There are no specific physical actions (like blowing or wiping) prescribed for this particular recitation. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the mere recitation of this verse, with sincere intention, is sufficient for the promised protection.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep brings an extraordinary shield of protection. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us that Allah will appoint a guardian (an angel) over you, and Shaytan will not be able to come near you until you wake up in the morning. This protection grants immense peace of mind, knowing that you are under the direct care of Allah while you are in your most vulnerable state of sleep.
Source & Authentication
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) deputed me to keep charge of the Zakat of Ramadan. There came to me a comer who started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of Zakat) (stealthily). I caught him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger!' He said, 'I am a needy man and have many dependents, and I am in great need.' So, I released him. The next morning Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked me, 'O Abu Hurayrah! What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! He complained of being in great need and of having many dependents, so I took pity on him and released him.' Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, 'He told you a lie and he will return.' I knew that he would return, as Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) had told me that he would. So, I waited for him. When he came and started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught him again and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger!' He said, 'Release me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not return.' So, I took pity on him and released him. The next morning Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked me, 'O Abu Hurayrah! What did your prisoner do?' I replied, 'O Allah's Messenger! He complained of being in great need and having many dependents, so I took pity on him and released him.' Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, 'He told you a lie and he will return.' So, I waited for him for the third time, and he came and started taking handfuls of foodstuff. I caught him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger, and this is the third time you promise not to return, yet you return!' He said, 'Let me teach you some words by which Allah will benefit you.' I asked, 'What are they?' He replied, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi from the beginning to the end: "Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum..." (until the end of the verse). If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you till morning.' So, I released him. The next morning Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked me, 'What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I replied, 'O Allah's Messenger! He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah would benefit me, so I released him.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, 'What are they?' I replied, 'He told me: 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi from its beginning to its end: 'Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum...' (until the end of the verse).' And he added, 'Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you till morning.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'He told you the truth although he is a great liar. O Abu Hurayrah! Do you know who you were talking to for three nights?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'That was Shaytan (Satan).' — Sahih al-Bukhari 2311