Article Surah 85 · Ayah 15

Meaning of Allah’s Arsh (Throne)

According to Muslim scholars, and the Arabic language, `Arsh means a throne or a throne belonging to a king.
The `Arsh of Allah is an extremely large and great Throne; it is the greatest thing created by Allah. It has four legs, and is carried by Angles. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is above the `Arsh as He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says about Himself: <<The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over (Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty)>> (Surah Taha 20:5). And: <<Indeed, your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty)>> (Surah Al-A’raf 7:54).
Thus, it is a significantly large `Arsh; none knows how great the size of its magnificence is except Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) Who created it (but we are told by the Prophet that it is very large). This `Arsh is like a dome stretching over the entire universe; it is the ceiling of the whole universe. It is also the ceiling of Paradise; nothing is above it except Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).
Thus, `Arsh in Arabic is a very large throne, and the thrones of kings are called `Arsh. It is mentioned in the Qur’an that the hoopoe told Sulayman (Solomon) that Bilqis (the Queen of Saba [or Sheba] in Yemen, who ruled during the lifetime of Prophet Sulayman): <<and she has a great throne>>(Surah Al-Naml 27:23). Yet, Allah’s `Arsh is unique; there is no similarity between Allah’s `Arsh and those of His Creatures. In general, we know from Arabic that `Arsh is a generic name standing for a throne. However, none knows the essence, nature, substance, or greatness of Allah’s `Arsh except Allah Himself (Glorified and Exalted be He). Yet, authentic Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are our authority in this matter. If an authentic Hadith mentions something about it, we must believe it, and accept it without doubt. The Prophet (peace be upon him) does not utter any untruth. Thus, we must believe in what we are told about the `Arsh in the Qur’an and the authentic Hadiths without further questions. There is no authentic Hadith to tell us what it is made of. However, it is established that it is a very large, and great `Arsh created by Allah and carried by some Angels. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: <<And the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them>> (Surah Al-Haqqah 69:17). The day meant here is the Day of Resurrection.
However, it is known from the Hadiths that four Angels carry the `Arsh now, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be eight Angels. It is reported that Umayah ibn Abu Al-Salt composed a poem, which the Prophet approved, to this effect, namely that four Angels carry the `Arsh of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) now. It reads:
On the right side, one in the shape of a man, and the other in the shape of an ox
On the left side, one in the shape of a vulture, and the other in the shape of a lion
This means that now four Angels carry the `Arsh; one in the shape of a man, another in the shape of an oxen, the third in the shape of a vulture, and the fourth in the shape of a lion. These four Angels were created by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) exclusively to bear the `Arsh. Yet, it is reported on the authority of Al-`Abbas ibn `Abdul Muttalib that on the Day of Resurrection eight Angels in the shapes of ibexes will carry the `Arsh. These Angels are so giant, and extremely tall. However, this Hadith has some weakness in relation to its chain of narrators. But, another evidence for this is the Qur’anic verse mentioned above, that is <<And the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them>>(Surah Al-Haqqah 69:17). which states that this will be on the Day of Resurrection. To sum up, they are now four angels, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be eight. Allah (Glorified be He) is the One sought for help, and He knows best.
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Facts on the Throne of Allah

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“It is He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He knows what penetrates into the earth and what emerges from it and what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein; and He is with you wherever you are. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing.” (Quran 57:4)
Nothing is comparable to Allah SWT’s majesty. He is the most high and worthy of all praise. His throne is like no other. Allah SWT has bestowed us by telling us some details regarding His Throne or Kursi in the Quran, and our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH has further told us some interesting details about it in several narrations.
So if you are interested in knowing about the grandiose throne of our Creator, here are six interesting facts about it that can assist us in understanding the true majesty of Allah SWT.
The Throne (Al-Arsh) is Allah’s First and Greatest Creation
Narrated Imran bin Husain:
I went to the Prophet (PBUH) and tied my she-camel at the gate. The people of Bani Tamim came to the Prophet (PBUH) who said "O Bani Tamim! Accept the good tidings." They said twice, ‘You have given us the good tidings, now give us something" Then some Yemenites came to him and he said, "Accept the good tidings, O people of Yemem, for Bani Tamim refused them." They said, "We accept it, O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! We have come to ask you about this matter (i.e. the start of creations)." He said, "First of all, there was nothing but Allah, and (then He created His Throne). His throne was over the water, and He wrote everything in the Book (in the Heaven) and created the Heavens and the Earth." Then a man shouted, "O Ibn Husain! Your she-camel has gone away!" So, I went away and could not see the she-camel because of the mirage. By Allah, I wished I had left that she-camel (but not that gathering).
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 3191
In-book reference: Book 59, Hadith 2
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 414
The Throne of Allah is on Water
“And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days – and His Throne had been upon water…” (Quran 11:7)
Waki’ bin Hudus narrated that his paternal uncle Abu Razin said:
"I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, where was our Lord before He created His creation?’ He said: He was above the clouds, below which was air, and above which was air and water. Then He created His Throne above the water.’"
Sunan Ibn Majah
English reference: Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 182
Arabic reference: Book 1, Hadith 187
The Bearers of the Throne
Jabir b. ‘Abd Allah reported the Prophet (May peace be upon him) as saying :
I have been permitted to tell about one of Allah’s angels who bears the throne that the distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4727
In-book reference: Book 42, Hadith 132
English translation: Book 41, Hadith 4709
Glorifying Allah reaches the Throne
It was narrated from Nu’man bin Bashir that :
the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "What you mention of glory of Allah, of Tabsih (Subhan-Allah), Tahlil (Allahu-Akbar) and Tahmid (Al-Hamdu lillah), revolves around the Throne, buzzing like bees, reminding of the one who said it. Wouldn’t any one of you like to have, or continue to have, something that reminds of him (in the presence of Allah)?’"
Sunan Ibn Majah 3809
In-book reference: Book 33, Hadith 154
English translation: Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3809
Allah’s Mercy is mentioned over the Throne
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, "My Mercy overpowers My Anger."
Sahih al-Bukhari 3194
In-book reference: Book 59, Hadith 5
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 416
Al-Firdaws (The Highest Paradise) is directly under the Throne of Allah
Mu’adh bin Jabal said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: ‘Paradise has one hundred grades, each of which is as big as the distance between heaven and earth. The highest of them is Firdaws and the best of them is Firdaws. The Throne is above Firdaws and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise. If you ask of Allah, ask Him for Firdaws.’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
English reference: Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4331
Arabic reference: Book 37, Hadith 4474
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