Greatest Verse in the Qur’an
By Hisham Abu Yusuf | 2026-10-07T19:08:29.053045+00:00 | Topic: Quran | Masjid: Hisham Abu Yusuf
Summary
The Greatest Verse in the Qur'an
- Ayatul Kursi is a powerful verse in the Qur'an.
- It beautifully summarizes the essence of who Allah is.
- It's often referred to as 'The Throne Verse'.
A Challenging Question to Ubayy ibn Ka'b
- The Prophet ﷺ once asked his companion, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, about the greatest Ayah in the Qur'an.
- Ubayy initially found the question difficult and admitted he didn't know.
- The Prophet ﷺ encouraged him to try and reflect.
Ubayy Identifies Ayatul Kursi
- After reflection, Ubayy ibn Ka'b eventually identified Ayatul Kursi.
- This verse encapsulates Allah's unique attributes and power.
Ayatul Kursi: The Throne Verse (Quran 2:255)
- Allah: The Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence.
- He is not affected by slumber or sleep.
- His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth.
- No one can intercede except by His permission.
- His knowledge is vast, and His Throne extends over all creation.
The Prophet's ﷺ Confirmation and Praise
- The Prophet ﷺ confirmed that Ayatul Kursi is indeed the greatest verse.
- He praised Ubayy ibn Ka'b for his knowledge and understanding.
The Prophet's ﷺ Consistent Recitation
- The Prophet ﷺ would recite Ayatul Kursi after every obligatory prayer.
- He also recited it every morning and every evening.
- Additionally, he would recite it before going to sleep.
- This meant reciting it approximately eight times a day.
One verse in the Qur'an that summarizes who is Allah — Ayatul Kursi. The Prophet ﷺ one day asks his companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b, what is the greatest Ayah in the Qur'an? It's a very difficult question. He says, I don't know.
The Prophet ﷺ says, no, try. He says, is it:
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ ۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
The Prophet ﷺ says, yes, this is the greatest verse in the Qur'an.
عَنْ أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: يَا أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ، أَتَدْرِي أَيُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ: يَا أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ أَتَدْرِي أَيُّ آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَعَكَ أَعْظَمُ؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ: اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ. قَالَ فَضَرَبَ فِي صَدْرِي وَقَالَ: وَاللَّهِ لِيَهْنِكَ الْعِلْمُ أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ
(Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith 1768)
This verse, the Prophet ﷺ would recite after every prayer, and every morning, and every evening, and also before sleeping — eight times a day.
Why? To put him in his place, to remind himself — who is it that I do all of this for? It is Allah.