Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255) - Linguistic features

Ayatul Kursi (Verse of the Throne) is a well-known verse in the Quran, and it contains many linguistic features that make it both beautiful and meaningful.

Verse 2:255, also known as Ayat al-Kursi, is a well-known verse in the Quran. It says:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Transliteration: Allāhu lā ilāha illā huwa al-ḥayyu al-qayyūmu lā ta'khudhuhu sinatun walā nawmun lahū mā fī al-samāwāti wamā fī al-arḍi man dhā al-ladhī yashfa'u 'indahu illā bi'idhnihi ya'lamu mā bayna 'aydīhim wamā khalfahum walā yuḥīṭūna bi shay'in min 'ilmihī illā bimā shā'a wasi'a kursīyuhu al-samāwāti wal-arḍa walā ya'ūduhu ḥifẓuhumā wa huwa al-'aliyyu al-'aẓīm

Translation: Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High, The Supreme (in glory).

                                                        Image credit - brother Nouman Ali Khan

Repetition

One notable feature is the use of repetition, which is a common literary device in Arabic. For example, the verse repeats the phrase "la ilaha illa huwa" (there is no deity except Him) twice, emphasizing the oneness of God and His exclusive right to be worshipped. This repetition helps to reinforce the verse's message and give it a sense of poetic rhythm.

Rhetorical questions

Another feature is the use of rhetorical questions, which are questions that do not require an answer. For example, the verse asks "who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits?" This question emphasizes the absolute authority of God and His control over all aspects of creation. It also adds a sense of drama and urgency to the verse.

Parallelism

The verse also uses parallelism, which is the repetition of similar grammatical structures. For example, the verse pairs the phrases "al-hayyul qayyum" (the Living, the Self-Sustaining) and "la ta'khudhuhu sinatun wala nawm" (no drowsiness or sleep overcomes Him), both of which describe God's eternal nature and His constant vigilance over His creation. This parallelism creates a sense of symmetry and balance within the verse.

Finally, the verse uses imagery and metaphor to describe God's power and sovereignty. For example, it describes God's throne as being so vast that it extends over the heavens and the earth. This image conveys the idea that God's power is limitless and all-encompassing.

Overall, Ayatul Kursi contains many linguistic features that make it a beautiful and powerful expression of the Islamic faith. Its use of repetition, rhetorical questions, parallelism, and imagery all contribute to its impact and meaning.