Lesson Content
The virtues of reciting it
After every obligatory prayer
Ibn al-Qayyim reported that his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah said: "I have not left reciting Ayat al-Kursi after every prayer."
Before sleep: the story of Abu Hurayrah
Abu Hurayrah was guarding the zakat of Ramadan. Someone came and took food. He said he was in need and had children, so Abu Hurayrah let him go. The Prophet ﷺ said: "He lied to you, and he will return."
He was caught again, complained again, and was released again.
"When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi until you finish the ayah. A guardian from Allah will remain over you, and no devil will come near you until morning."
"He told you the truth, although he is a liar. Do you know who you were speaking to these three nights? That was a shaytan."
al-Bukhari 2311
Morning and evening: the story of Ubayy and the jinn
Ubayy ibn Ka'b had a store of dates that kept getting smaller. One night he kept watch and found a creature like a young boy, who said he was from the jinn. Ubayy asked what would protect people from them. He answered: this ayah in Surah al-Baqarah.
"When Ayat al-Kursi is recited with sincerity to Allah, it renders the work of the shayatin void, because tawhid repels the shaytan."
Eight times a day
1 morning + 5 after the obligatory prayers + 1 evening + 1 before sleep = 8
The condition: ikhlas, iman and tadabbur
Recited with ikhlas, iman and tadabbur, not mechanically. Ibn Taymiyyah adds: if he recites it with sincerity. Recite it with tajweed, letter by letter, so the meaning is reflected upon.
Do they not then reflect upon the Qur'an?an-Nisa' 4:82
The words are said, but the heart is elsewhere. The effect is weak and the benefit small.
The heart fills with tawhid; iman and veneration of Allah spring from it.
Merely reading does not reach the goal (Shaykh al-Badr). The aim of this course is that each of the eight recitations is said with a heart that knows what each sentence means.
Key points
- After every obligatory prayer: nothing prevents entering Jannah except death (al-Nasa'i).
- Before sleep: a guardian from Allah, and no devil comes near until morning (al-Bukhari 2311).
- Morning and evening: protection from the jinn (al-Nasa'i, al-Tabarani).
- Eight times a day: morning, five prayers, evening, before sleep.
- The condition: ikhlas, iman and tadabbur, not mechanical recitation.
Quiz
Test your understanding of this lesson.
Discussion
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