Ayat al Kursi contains within it the Greatest Name of Allah, which if He is called by it, He responds – “Al Hayy Al Qayyoom” {Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3478, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 705}

It is due to its strong relationship to Tawheed that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ encouraged and recommended the recitation of Ayat al-Kursi throughout the day.

The Quran’s most important topic is the Oneness of Allah and the proofs relating to it. Ayat al-Kursi contains within it 12 proofs establishing this Oneness and refuting its opposite, Shirk.

Ubayy Ibn Ka’b (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: O Abu’ al-Mundhir, which verse from the Book of Allah according to is the greatest? I said: Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know best. He again said: Abu’l-Mundhir, which verse from the Book of Allah according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal. Thereupon he struck me on my chest and said: May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu’l-Mundhir! (Sahih Muslim)

Shaykh ‘Abdur Rahman As-Sa’dee -rahimahu Allah- said: “This verse addresses the Tawheed of Allah…it includes the Completeness of His Dominion and what His Knowledge encompasses, the Vastness of His Power, Majesty, Greatness, Loftiness, and Exaltedness over all of His creation” (Tafsir As-Sa’dee)

The following are some key benefits from this great ayat:
“The Ever Living” (Al-Hayy)
This name obligates singling out Allah alone with worship since He, The Glorified, is described with being alive without dying. A perfect existence that is not preceeded by non­existence nor is it overcome by an end or passing away.

“The Sustainer of all” (Al-Qayyum)
Meaning, He sustains Himself as well as His creation. From this name stem all of Allah’s attributes of action and it also shows us the complete sufficiency of our Lord, The Most High, that He sustains Himself, the One not in need of His creation! So with this, it is understood that all of Allah’s attributes related to His actions like Creating, Providing, Bestowing Blessings, Giving Life, Giving Death, and other than that are connected to and stem from this name, i.e Al-Qayyum “The Sustainer of All”.

“Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him” The word “slumber” refers to the first stages of sleep; and the beginning of slumber is light drowsiness, while “sleep” is well-known. Allah, the Most High, is free from both of these! There is no deficiency attributed to Him.

“To Him belongs what ever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth” Meaning, He is Al-Maalik (i.e.Sovereign), of whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth; anything else beside Him does not possess anything “And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills.” Within this (statement) shows the creations ‘weakness and its restriction of knowledge; and that they have only been given a small amount of knowledge.in the heavens, on the earth, nor an atom’s weight just He.

“Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission?” Meaning, no one will intercede before Him except with His permission because is the Sovereign and who will dispose of affairs in His dominion or do anything without His permission.
Intercession is a right of possession that belongs to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic

“He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter.”
Meaning, His knowledge encompasses past and present matters. He knows what was and will be. He encompasses everything with His knowledge; and accounts for everything in numeration. How could His knowledge not encompass the creation while He is the Creator of the creation.

“And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills.” This (statement) shows the creations’ weakness and their restricted knowledge; and that they have only been given a small amount.

“His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth.”
The Kursi (Le. footstool) is a great creation among the creations of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; and He described the Kursi as expanding over the heavens and the earth due to its vastness and tremendous size. The heavens and earth in relation to the Kursi are considered to be very small just as the Kursi in relation to the Throne is considered to be very small. Reflecting on this, you will begin to grasp the greatness of the creation of Allah, the Majestic and Exalted

“And He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.”
This statement as well, is a clarification to Allah’s greatness, His perfect power and strength. We have learnt that a negation cited in the Quran is not merely a negation alone; rather, it is a negation which comprises of affirming the perfect opposite of what is being disaffirmed.

“He feels no fatigue” means it does not oppress, weigh Him down, or make Him tired.
“preserving them” meaning preserving the heavens and the earth; and within this statement affirms Allah’s perfect strength and power;

“And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”
These are two confirming proofs of At-Tawheed, and that Allah, the Glorified, is the one who deserves to be worshipped alone due to the citing Allah’s Exaltedness above all of creation and His perfect greatness.

“He is the Most High” signifies inclusiveness of all types. So it includes all meanings of highness; highness in essence, highness in subduing (conquering) and power.
To Him belongs highness from every aspect. So He, the Glorified, is the Highest regarding His essence, above His creation.
“The Most Great” affirms His greatness; and no one is greater than Him. Regardless of how great the creation is, its greatness is in significant in comparison to the greatness of the One who created it and brought it into existence.
Finally, once a person understands the message of this great ayat, i.e the Oneness of Allah and His Greatness, it is only fitting for him to recite and contemplate on this verse night and day, as indicated by the Propet Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam!