Ayat Al-Kursi #3: The Meaning

Ayat Al-Kursi is named because of the world “Kursi”. However, many people do not know the significance or meaning of the term “Kursi.” Iman Tabari wrote that the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them)of our Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Upon Him) and the students of the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) held strong and different opinions about the meaning of the word “Kursi” and many scholars feel that no one knows the actual meaning except for Allah Ta’Ala. Other scholars believe that the word “Kursi” refers to the Knowledge of Allah Ta’Ala and that his knowledge encompasses all that is the heavens and the earth. Some of the Companions (May Allah be pleased with them) and their students (May Allah be pleased with them) held the opinion that the word “Kursi” is another name for “throne” and the verse refers to the “Thorne of Allah the Most High.” Moreover, the Throne comprises the heavens and the earth.

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) narrates that the meaning of the word Kursi in this verse is the Knowledge of Allah Most High, and His Knowledge encompasses the earth. Another opinion is that the Kursi is a creation of Allah Most High whose magnitude makes that of the heavens and the earth insignificant. Another opinion is, that due to the Throne praising Allah Most High it makes a “creaking” sound. This hadith has been recorded in many books, but in the chain of narrators, a narrator is unknown and therefore this narration cannot be authentic.

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Under Ayat al-Kursi. Hafiz Ibn Kathir]

Qadi Shawkani writes that the hadith, which mentions the creaking of the Throne, contains, in its chain of transmission, a narrator called ‘Abdullah bin Khalifah. He is unknown, and has heard nothing from ‘Umar (Allah be well pleased with him). The chain of narration does not even reach back to ‘Umar (Allah be well pleased with him). The hadith, which mentions a “Resting place of the two feet”, contains a narrator called al-Hakam al-Kufi, in its chain of transmission, who has been rejected (by the scholars of hadith).

[Fath al-Qadir: Under Ayat al-Kursi. Qadi Shawkani]

Allamah al-Allusi al-Hanafi writes that no one knows the true meaning of the word Kursi in this verse, except Allah Most High. Matters such as these are known as the mutashabihat.

[Ruh al-Mani: Under Ayat al-Kursi. Allamah al-Allusi al-Hanafi]

Source: Islamic Information Online