ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Allah! There is no god worthy of worship 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 before them and what is behind them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and preserving them both does not weary Him. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. La ta'khudhuhu sinatunw-wa la nawm. Lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard. Man zallazi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-iznih? Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum; wa la yuhituna bi-shay'im-min 'ilmihi illa bima shaa'. Wasi'a Kursiyyuhus-samawati wal-ard; wa la ya'uduhu hifzuhumaa; wa Huwal 'Aliyyul-Azim.
When to Read
Recite Ayat al-Kursi every night before you go to bed. Making this a consistent practice ensures you are under Allah's special protection while you sleep, safeguarding you from various harms until you wake.
How to Read
Simply recite the entire Ayah al-Kursi once before lying down to sleep. There are no specific hand gestures or repetitions mentioned in the associated hadith for this particular practice, though it is a powerful ayah to reflect upon as you recite it.
Virtues & Benefits
When you recite Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, Allah appoints a guardian angel for you who stays with you, and no Satan (devil) will come near you until morning. This comprehensive protection from evil spirits, jinn, and all their potential harms—including disturbances, frightening nightmares, and even unseen physical dangers they might cause—allows you to rest peacefully and securely under Allah's care. This is a tremendous blessing, granting peace of mind and safety throughout the night.
Source & Authentication
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan. Someone came and started scooping up handfuls of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!' He said, 'I am needy, have a large family, and am in great need.' So, I released him. In the morning, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, 'O Abu Huraira! What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He complained of great need and a large family, so I took pity on him and released him.' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed, he told you a lie and he will return.' So, I lay in wait for him. He came again and started scooping up handfuls of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He said, 'Release me, for I am needy and have a large family. I will not return.' So, I took pity on him and released him. In the morning, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked me, 'O Abu Huraira! What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He complained of great need and a large family, so I took pity on him and released him.' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed, he told you a lie and he will return.' So, I lay in wait for him for the third time. He came and started scooping up handfuls of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! This is the third time, and you promised not to return, but you did!' He said, 'Release me, and I will teach you some words by which Allah will benefit you.' I said, 'What are they?' He said, 'When you go to bed, recite Ayat-ul-Kursi (2:255). If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Satan will come near you until morning.' So, I released him. In the morning, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, 'What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I said, 'He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah would benefit me, so I released him.' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, 'What were they?' I said, 'He told me, "When you go to bed, recite Ayat-ul-Kursi from beginning to end: Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists...".' Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'He indeed spoke the truth, though he is a liar. That was Satan.' — Sahih al-Bukhari 2311