14/10/2025
___The Throne of God: A Deep Dive into the 'Arsh, the 'Kursi', and the Preserved Tablet in Islamic Cosmology___
The foundation of Islamic belief rests on the absolute, eternal sovereignty of Allah, who is the First and the Last. The most tangible representation of this sovereignty is the 'Arsh (Throne), which stands as the roof of all creation , situated above the highest levels of Paradise (Firdaws). This is not merely a metaphor but a magnificent, supreme structure that marks the limit of the created universe.
The Description of the 'Arsh in Scripture
The Qur'an frequently emphasizes the Lordship of the 'Arsh, referring to Allah as “The Lord of the Magnificent Throne” (Rabbul ’Arshil ’Azeem) and “The Lord of the Noble Throne” (Rabbul ’Arshil Kareem). The core tenet is established in the verse: “The Most Merciful (Allah) is above the Throne,
istawa
”.
The sheer scale of the 'Arsh is mind-boggling. Narrations state that the distance from one end of the 'Arsh to the other is equivalent to a five million year journey. Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) explained that the gap between the earth and the first heaven, and subsequently between each of the seven heavens, is a great distance (described as 500 years' travel), and above the seventh heaven, the 'Arsh extends, encompassing all of this space. The 'Arsh is confirmed to be a physical Throne (sareer) with legs (paye), a tangible structure that differs fundamentally from the concept of a celestial sphere (falak).
The Eight Carriers of the Throne and Their Supplications
The 'Arsh is constantly being carried by eight immense angels, a number confirmed by the Qur'an: ﴿وَ يَحْمِلُ عَرْشَ رَبِّكَ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَمَانِيَة﴾. These angels, along with those surrounding the 'Arsh, are perpetually engaged in glorifying Allah (tasbeeh) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar) for the believers.
Their supplications are profound, demonstrating humility and praise for Allah's attributes:
Four of the carriers recite: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise, to You is the praise for Your forgiveness after Your power”.
The other four say: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise, to You is the praise for Your forbearance after Your knowledge”.
The 'Kursi': A Separate Entity of Immeasurable Vastness
The 'Kursi' (Footstool) is distinct from the 'Arsh. While the 'Arsh is the Throne itself, the 'Kursi' is below it and is described in the famous 'Ayat al-Kursi' as encompassing the heavens and the earth. Scholars have proposed two main interpretations: that it is the place where Allah's knowledge is preserved , or, as attributed to Ibn Abbas (RA), that it is the place of the two feet (mowdha’ qadmayn).
The Prophet (PBUH) provided a stunning analogy to illustrate the difference in scale: the seven heavens and seven earths, in relation to the 'Kursi', are like a ring dropped into a vast, empty expanse. Then, the 'Kursi', in relation to the 'Arsh', is also like a ring in a vast expanse. This comparison highlights the unfathomable magnitude of the 'Arsh, which remains beyond the comprehension of any created being.
The Lauh Mahfooz (The Preserved Tablet): The Book of Destiny
Complementing the 'Arsh and 'Kursi' is the Lauh Mahfooz, the divine register of all decrees from the beginning to the end of time. This Tablet is created from white pearl , with pages made of red ruby. Its length is said to be the distance between the earth and the sky, and its width is the distance from the East to the West. The Tablet's divine pen (qalam) is made of light , recording 360 moments every day which contain all decrees concerning creation, provision, life, death, and honor or disgrace. The inscription at its centre proclaims: “There is no god but Allah, He is One, His religion is Islam, and Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger”.
Conclusion:
The detailed knowledge of the 'Arsh, 'Kursi', and 'Lauh Mahfooz', derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah, solidifies the believer's understanding of Allah's absolute power and control over the universe. This sacred knowledge offers a spiritual remedy for inner diseases , guiding mankind to accept the clear commandments in the Quran and Sunnah.
#حمد