The Prophet (ﷺ) came to them in the swelling place of immigrants and a man asked him: Which is the greatest verse of the Qur'an ? The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: Allah, there is no god but He - the Living, the Self-Subsisting Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep."
Exposition of the Hadith
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 4003 establishes the supreme status of Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse) from Surah al-Baqarah (2:255). The Prophet's ﷺ designation of this verse as the greatest in the Qur'an indicates its comprehensive nature encompassing Allah's essence, attributes, and sovereignty.
Scholarly Commentary on the Verse
"Allah, there is no god but He - the Living, the Self-Subsisting Eternal" affirms Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah and Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat. Al-Hayy (The Living) and Al-Qayyum (The Self-Subsisting) are among Allah's greatest names, indicating His perfect life and complete independence while all creation depends on Him.
"No slumber can seize Him nor sleep" negates any imperfection, emphasizing His constant vigilance over creation. This refutes anthropomorphism while affirming divine attributes without comparison to creation.
Context and Significance
The setting in "the swelling place of immigrants" indicates the early Medinan period when Islamic teachings were being established. The question reflects the Companions' desire to prioritize knowledge.
This verse's greatness lies in its encapsulation of divine sovereignty, knowledge, and power. Classical scholars note it contains the greatest name of Allah and serves as protection when recited. Its comprehensive nature makes it a microcosm of Islamic theology.
Relation to Qur'anic Readings
As documented in "Dialects and Readings of the Qur'an (Kitab Al-Huruf Wa Al-Qira'at)", this verse has been transmitted through mutawatir readings with minor variations in vowelization that don't alter meaning. The preservation of this supreme verse across all canonical readings demonstrates the miraculous protection of the Qur'an.